Yom Kippur and Communion

Yom Kippur, often referred to as the Day of Atonement, holds profound spiritual significance in the Jewish faith. It signifies the covering or payment for the sins of the people of Israel, emphasizing the vital need for a Savior. This annual feast, a reminder of our continual need for redemption, sought to repair the broken relationship between humans and God by atoning for sins (Leviticus 16:29-34).
The ritual on this sacred day involved the high priest shedding his elaborate garments, donning a symbolically pure white linen robe, and offering sin sacrifices for himself and fellow priests. He would then proceed into the Holy of Holies, the innermost sanctum of the temple, to sprinkle the blood of the sacrificial bull on the mercy seat and before the ark of the covenant. Symbolically, this act cleansed and covered the sins of the nation.
Another powerful ritual involved choosing two goats. One goat was sacrificed as a sin offering, while the other, the "scapegoat," symbolically carried away the sins of the people into the wilderness, underlining the need for expiation and cleansing.
The importance of understanding sin's gravity lies in its nature; when we sin, we reject God's rule over our lives, assuming a god-like position ourselves. This rebellion, making us guilty and offensive to God, creates a barrier preventing direct communion with Him. To overcome this barrier, two theological concepts come into play: expiation and propitiation.
Expiation involves placing our sins on Jesus, the symbolic scapegoat, who carries them far away, removing them completely. This signifies mercy—receiving grace we don't deserve, ultimately dealing with our sin problem.
Propitiation signifies God's righteous judgment and demand for punishment, which was satisfied through the shedding of blood in sacrifices. Jesus, as the ultimate sacrificial offering, absorbed God's wrath over sin, restoring our relationship with God and representing grace—receiving what we don't deserve.
The New Testament reaffirms the fulfillment of Yom Kippur through Jesus Christ, emphasizing His once-and-for-all sacrifice on the cross. At that moment, the veil in the temple, symbolizing the separation between humanity and God, was torn, signifying access to God through Jesus.
The narrative of Barabbas, whose name means "son of the father," serves as a poignant illustration. Barabbas, the criminal deserving punishment, was set free, representing how we, as sinners, deserved death, but Jesus took our place on the cross.
Yom Kippur and Communion both echo the theme of repentance, reminding us of our need for cleansing, atonement, and the immeasurable grace bestowed upon us through Jesus Christ. As we partake in Communion, we acknowledge our sinfulness and gratefully accept the salvation and atonement offered through the sacrifice of Jesus, the true Lamb of God.