What does a Christian need to know about Yom Kippur?

What Christians Need to Know About the Atonement of Christ

If we celebrate Easter what’s the deal with the Day of Atonement?

The celebration of Easter holds significant meaning for Christians worldwide, marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the ultimate victory over sin and death. However, this pivotal event in the Christian calendar invites us to explore a deeper understanding of atonement, particularly as it relates to the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur.

As we journey through Scripture, we will uncover how the atonement is not just a historical event but a living reality that offers hope and access to God’s grace for all who believe.

The atonement of Christ is the very foundation of Christian beliefs. Christ’s Atonement emphasizes the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice for humanity’s sins. Atonement refers to the reconciliation between God and humanity through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. It addresses the separation caused by sin, allowing believers to restore their relationship with God.

In my mind, that makes the Day of Atonement the most important day on the calendar.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him.” John 3:16-17

Biblical Foundation

The doctrine of atonement is rooted in Scripture. So, what is the Day of Atonement?

The Day of Atonement, known as Yom Kippur in Hebrew, is one of the holiest days in Judaism. It occurs on the 10th day of Tishrei, following the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah). But why do I, as a Christian, want anything to do with Jewish holidays? If Easter covers the atonement, why bother with another day?

The short answer is that technically Easter is a Christianized version of a pagan holiday. Am I anti-Easter? Not really. But then again…

Roots of Easter

Easter was instituted during the time of Roman Emperor Constantine. While we are taught that Constantine made Christianity the state religion, that isn’t the whole truth.

Constantine abolished house gatherings (the norm since the time of the apostles) as a place of prayer and worship. Constantine outlawed Christians from holding church in private homes. He instituted basilicas instead.

Constantine absolutely hated the Jews. As a result, he was determined to establish a paganized version of Christianity. This was when the ties were severed from anything related to Judaism and the Hebrew scriptures.

Now I’m not suggesting that we return to the old covenant. Not at all. However, we do need to remember what the apostle Paul wrote to the Romans and to the Ephesians.

Romans 11:13–18

But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Therefore insofar as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry if somehow I may move my own people to jealousy and save some of them. For if their rejection proves to be the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are as well.
But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. NASB

And

Ephesians 2:4–10 (NASB 2020)

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our wrongdoings, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the boundless riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Ephesians 2:11–22

Therefore remember that previously you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision” which is performed in the flesh by human hands—remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the people of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world.But now in Christ Jesus you who previously were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,by abolishing in His flesh the hostility, which is the Law composed of commandments expressed in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two one new person, in this way establishing peace; and that He might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the hostility. And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near;for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

Not just outdated Jewish Tradition But New Covenant foundation

When we know what the scriptures teach us about the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), we can get a better understanding the Atonement, the basis of our faith.

What we don’t want to do is go to the opposite extreme and take on Rabbinic Tradition (Pharisaical Law) that draws our attention away from Christ and the work of the cross.

Hebrews Chapter 9 Teaches Us What Christ did in respect to Kippur (Atonement)

Hebrews chapter 9 provides profound insight into the significance of the old covenant so that we can understand the new covenant established through Jesus Christ.

The Earthly Sanctuary

The chapter opens by describing the first covenant and the regulations for worship in the earthly sanctuary. It explains the components of the tabernacle, including the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place, which contained the sacred items such as the lampstand (menorah), the table of showbread, and the altar of incense, as well as the mercy seat.

Sacrifices and Rituals

Under the old covenant, the blood of animals was used for atonement. These rituals were established to be a constant reminder of sin. Yet, they were unable to provide lasting atonement (redemption).

Access to God

One of the significant points made is that under the old covenant, only the high priest was allowed entrance the Most Holy Place, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement. This limited access highlights the separation between God and humanity due to sin.

The Coming of Christ – Eternal Redemption

However, when Christ entered the greater and more perfect tabernacle. The tabernacle not made with human hands. Unlike the earthly high priests, Jesus entered the heavenly sanctuary once and for all. He came not by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood. By applying His own blood to the mercy seat in heaven, this act secured eternal redemption (for all time).

Redemption Through His Blood

Emphasizing the power of Christ’s sacrifice, we are taught that His [Christ’s] blood cleanses our consciences from acts that lead to death, allowing us to serve the living God. This points to the new covenant established through His sacrifice.

How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Hebrews 9:14

Our Eternal Inheritance

Jesus’ death inaugurated the new covenant, granting believers permanent access to God and an eternal inheritance.

For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the violations that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. For where there is a covenant, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it. For a covenant is valid only when people are dead, for it is never in force while the one who made it lives. Therefore even the first covenant was not inaugurated without blood. – Hebrews 9:15-18

Christ Entered Heaven Itself

Therefore it was necessary for the copies of the things in the heavens to be cleansed with these things, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ did not enter a holy place made by hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Holy Place year by year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been revealed to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And just as it is destined for people to die once, and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him. Hebrews 9:23-28

A New and Living Way

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, through His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let’s approach God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. – Hebrews 10:19–22

Because of the Atonement

We not only have free and open access to God, we no longer have to be focused on sin. The Atonement of sealed our fate forever. We now have eternal redemption, that can never be taken away or diminished.

I say any day that celebrates the Atonement is a great day. We have no reason to be sad. We have no reason to fear the judgment of God. No, we can rejoice in Christ our Savior.

In conclusion,

The exploration of the Day of Atonement and its connection to the Atonement of Christ enriches our understanding of God’s redemptive plan.

By recognizing the significance the Atonement, we foster a deeper appreciation for the grace and mercy extended to us through Jesus’ sacrifice. The Atonement not only reconciles us to God but also empowers us to live in confidence, free from the shackles of sin.

As we celebrate this truth, let us approach God boldly, embracing the eternal hope and profound joy that comes from our restored relationship with Him.

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16