Yom Kippur: It Is Finished
Today is Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. But for the Christian, this is a beautiful day that has already been fulfilled, along with all other Mosaic laws, as Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice for sin. Leviticus 16:30-34 and Hebrews 9:6-7 would be great verses to read today in your observance. While Israel awaited a Messiah to conquer external enemies, the gospel reveals that the primary enemy vanquished by Jesus was sin itself, reconciling humanity with God. Thus, Yom Kippur serves both as a lasting tradition and a foreshadowing that Jesus has once and for all put away sin through his sacrifice, declaring “it is finished.”
Take a moment to read this personal liturgy and its parallels with the ritual sacrifice of the Old Testament:
Father, open this heart,
As I, your child looks at you,
Knowing full well that I have
Broken your laws and done so many times.
The high priest seizes the bull and draws a sharp blade across its throat, severing skin and arteries, blood gushes everywhere- “For my house, oh Lord, accept this blood sacrifice, for our sins.”
Let me fall weeping into your arms,
Give me a contrite heart,
And allow the weight of my sin
To rest upon me.
The high priest lifts the chin of a goat, “and for the sins of the people”, blood flows to atone, pooling in a bowl, sprinkled in the most holy.
As I look to you, my good father,
Let me remember the joy
Of my forgiveness
Through your son Jesus,
The scapegoat, the atoning lamb,
The final sacrifice.
A second goat is brought forward, the sins of the people placed on its head- “Be gone, these sins are remembered no more!” It’s body lies crumpled at a cliff face, lest the sins return to the people.
I boldly approach the throne
and look upon my Father’s face,
the purest warmth of love embraces me.
My blood is required no more.
It is finished.
Eric writes the essays and liturgies here, and hosts Family Moment. He is Director of Website & Graphics at Solving.org, a dad, and a follower of Jesus.
Scripture passages in the verse previews are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Previously posted on ericnovak.com
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