If you read my post last week you know that we are now in the Hebrew year of 5787. Immediately following Rosh Hashanah is what is called the “Ten Days of Awe”. Starting from sundown yesterday through today marks Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement.
The Day of Atonement was established in Leviticus 23:27-28 along with the other feasts the Lord instructed the Israelites to observe. It says, 27 “The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. Hold a sacred assembly and deny yourselves, and present a food offering to the Lord. 28 Do not do any work on that day, because it is the Day of Atonement, when atonement is made for you before the Lord your God.”
This space where atonement was made was called the Holy of Holies or the Most Holy Place and was only entered into once a year by the High Priest and not without him purifying himself, repenting and offering sacrifices. In Leviticus 16:2 “2 The Lord said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron that he is not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain in front of the atonement cover on the ark, or else he will die. For I will appear in the cloud over the atonement cover.” He goes on to include very specific instructions as to what this looked like and how it was to be carried out. I recommend reading the rest of the chapter to get the full picture, especially if you’ve never read it.
I love that a couple weeks ago in Bible study we were in chapter four of Hebrews when Rosh Hashanah was happening, and then this week, we were in Hebrews chapter six. Hebrews 6:19-20 says, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” What a timely verse to read the morning before the Day of Atonement begins.
You see, Jesus, at his crucifixion entered into the Holy of Holies on our behalf as the High Priest AND the perfect sacrificial lamb for all of eternity. He was the fulfillment of it all so that we no longer have to go through a high priest to receive forgiveness. We have direct access to God through Jesus Christ, our high priest. The same one who died for the sins of the world so we wouldn’t have to is also the one that gives us access to the throne because he is seated at the right hand of God. He is the King and Priest.
In Matthew at the end of Jesus’ crucifixion, it says “And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom…” (Matt 27:50-51, emphasis mine). The moment Jesus gave up his spirit that dividing line between men and God was torn open. Not from bottom to top, from top to bottom. This was a curtain that was estimated to be nearly 60’ in height and some outside historical documents and Jewish tradition estimate it was nearly 4” thick. If man was going to tear it, he would have to start at the bottom. But it wasn’t man, it was the miracle working power of God and the sacrifice of his only son, Jesus, that tore it completely apart.
I often think about the struggle Jesus went through of going to the cross on my behalf but less often think about the pain it must have caused God the Father to watch his son in such agony. I think in my mind I’ve watered it down because I know he knew the end result. I can’t help but think of the curtain being torn in two having two meanings. In Old Testament times when people were grieving, they would tear their garments. I can’t help but think that this tearing of the thing that clothed God’s most holy place was not only giving us access but also demonstrating his grief over his son’s death. Yes, he would rise again, yes, he would be exalted to his right hand but that couldn’t possibly make the death he died and the sacrifice he made any less difficult to watch.
Sometimes it seems such a strange way to do things and yet if I truly stop and think about it doing something easy and simple does not express great love. It is in sacrifice and the giving up of one’s own needs, wants and selfish desires that we see love expressed most.
There is no need to have a high priest enter the Holy of Holies today with a sacrifice because the work is already finished. Every sin past, present and future has been atoned for, placed on Jesus at the cross. As a follower of Jesus, I see today as a day to reflect upon His great sacrifice in thankfulness, to make use of the access we have been given and not take it for granted.
My prayer today is from Hebrews 4:16 “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” And my greater prayer is that if you have never approached that throne of grace to accept the sacrifice of Jesus on your behalf for all of your sins, that today would be that day. That today would be the day that you bow before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and say I am not worthy or able, but you alone are and I need your grace, mercy and forgiveness.
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