ON THE VANGUARD

YOM KIPPUR
"When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened."
Jonah 3:10

Tonight is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. This holiday has for a long time standing been considered the most holy day in the Jewish biblical calendar. It is this in history that once a year, the High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies and make atonement for the nation. It is a perfect illustration of regeneration for those who follow God's atonement.
In Leviticus 16 we read concerning the ceremony first performed by the children of Israel following their great exodus. The ceremony began with two goats. One goat was named the Chatat and would be slain as a blood sacrifice as a symbol of the covering of sins for the people. The second goat named the Azazel, or Scapegoat, would be brought before the priest. The priest would lay his hands on the goat's head as the sins of the people were confessed. Whereas the first was slain, the Scapegoat was released into the wilderness as a representation of the sins being removed from the people.
When Jesus Christ died on the cross, He did so for our sin. Jesus, who knew no sin, became our sacrifice and Scapegoat. As his body was beat and cut, His blood flowed becoming our Chatat. Yet He also became our Azazel in that He took our sin away from us. It is only because of His sacrifice and forgiveness of our sins that we have the ability to stand in His presence.
The Greek word Kapparah means propitiation. In Greek mythology this word was used in showing appeasement to the gods. But this word also means atonement. On the cross, Jesus was displayed as our kapparah, our sacrifice, the fulfillment of all that is celebrated at Yom Kippur. The atonement has been made.
As time moved forward and the ability to perform animal sacrifices became a lesser approved option, the rabbis of the first century assisted with substitutions that would still portray original reasons of Yom Kippur. The holiday now consist of the Tefilah (prayer), Teshuvah (repentance), and Tzedakah (charity). So in this time of Yom Kippur we are challenged to this and reflect on forgiveness. In the last ten days between Rosh HaShanan and Yom Kippur, known as the Days of Awe, we were to present forgiveness to those we have offended and confess our sins to God. For today, I urge you to reflect on the truth found in the book of Jonah, that if we confess and turn from our sin, God is faithful and just to forgive us as He did the people of Ninevah. God has forgiven you, now take your place ON THE VANGUARD!