Atonement Through Self Denial

“This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month you must deny yourselves and not do any work—whether native-born or a foreigner residing among you— because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the LORD, you will be clean from all your sins. It is a day of sabbath rest, and you must deny yourselves; it is a lasting ordinance (Leviticus 16:29-31).”

On this most solemn day of the Hebrew calendar, Yom Kippur, a day of self-denial, we are reminded of the ceremony God put in place to cleanse His people of sin. As Christians, we are given this same grace that God ushered in through the sacrifice of His Son. It is in Christ’s once and for all sacrifice that we are cleansed and reconciled back to God and a vivid a reminder of the love God has for His people. May we along with our Jewish brothers and sisters give thanks to the Lord and grow in the grace of His presence and promise.