Seize the Moment – Day 540
The Atonement of Sin!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Wednesday, September 8.
What does the biblical word “atonement” mean and why is it important?
Leviticus prescribed an intricate system of priests, daily sacrifices, dietary restrictions, weekly sabbaths, and annual festivals to make atonement for sin.
Atonement describes both the covering of human guilt and the turning away of God’s wrath. It communicates the biblical concept of reconciliation, which is at the heart of God in giving the Levitical Law in the first place.
Leviticus 16:32-34 prescribed the annual festival known as Yom Kippur, which is the Day of Atonement:
So the priest who is anointed and ordained to serve as priest in his father’s place shall make atonement: he shall thus put on the linen garments, the holy garments, and make atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make atonement for the tent of meeting and for the altar. He shall also make atonement for the priests and for all the people of the assembly. Now you shall have this as a permanent statute, to make atonement for the sons of Israel for all their sins once every year.
The reconciliation of relationship between God and humanity is why Jesus Christ came and fulfilled the Levitical Law so that through the one nation of Israel all the nations could be restored under the rightful rule of God’s Messiah, who provides, once for all, atonement of sin (Hebrews 7:27; 10:10).
Jesus Christ fulfilled the Day of Atonement in three ways:
- Jesus is the priest who makes atonement (Hebrews 2:17; 9:1-15).
- Jesus is the place of atonement (Romans 3:21-25).
- Jesus is the sacrifice of atonement (1 John 2:2; 4:10; 1 Peter 1:17-19).
Praise God that it is through a relationship with Jesus Christ we enter His relationship with God.
Seize the moment and trust Jesus Christ with your right relationship with God.
God bless your day!