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The life and work of Jesus is part of a much larger story that began in the Old Testament. In the OT, we read about an elaborate sacrificial system that the Israelites had to go through in order to remain right with God. There are many chapters in the OT that describe the sacrifices, festivals, and elements found in and around the Tabernacle.
One of the most important days of the year in the Israelite calendar was the Day of Atonement. The Day of Atonement is described in Leviticus 16. It was a particularly holy day when every Israelite was confronted with their sin. The Day of Atonement finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Day of Atonement was looking forward to his death on the cross. As Christians, we can learn much about the atonement of Jesus by understanding the Day of atonement.
Jesus Is Our High Priest
The Israelite religion was led by a high priest. A priest has the job of being a mediator between God and people. Of course, the Israelite high priest had the same sin problem as every other Israelite. Therefore, on the Day of Atonement he had to make atonement for his sins.
The Bible says that Jesus is our high priest, but he is a better high priest than the one in the days of Israel. He is a better high priest because he is a sinless high priest. And as God and man he is our eternal high priest.
Hebrews 7:24-25 But he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
Jesus Is the Ultimate Sin Offering
On the day of atonement after the high priest made his offering for his sins, a goat was killed and its blood put on the Ark of the Covenant. It was an atonement for the sins of the people. Each year a goat was offered to atone for the sins of the people. The New Testament teaches us that Jesus atoned for the sins of the world, only his sacrifice was better than that of the goat. Unlike the goat, the sacrifice of Jesus was a one time sacrifice that lasted for all time. This is why Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice.
Hebrews 7:27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.
Jesus Is the Ultimate Scapegoat
There is one final, poignant act on the Day of Atonement. The people would choose a goat to be a scapegoat. They would confess their sins on to this goat and then drive him into the wilderness. This was a cleansing moment for the Israelites, but it was also a reminder of their lingering sinfulness. Just as with the sacrifice of the goat, they had to go through the process of the scapegoat every year.
The Bible teaches us that Jesus was our scapegoat. He bore the shame of our sins and he was taken outside the city to be crucified (Hebrews 13:12). And as with the sacrifice of Jesus, he is our perfect scapegoat. His sacrifice was so complete that it cleanses our conscience for all time.
Hebrews 9:14 …How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- What is the most interesting part of the Day of Atonement in Leviticus 16 to you? What makes it interesting?
- How is Jesus our high priest? What does he do in his role as priest for us?
- Read Hebrews 7:27. How did the sacrifice of Jesus put an end to the sacrificial system?
- As a Christian, how does understanding the atonement of Jesus and what it achieved for you help you deal with feelings of guilt and shame?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
