“The kohen will take some of the blood of the sin offering and put it upon the doorposts of the House and upon the four corners of the ledge of the altar and upon the posts of the gate of the inner court. So you will do on the seventh day of the month for everyone who sins unintentionally or through ignorance. So you will make atonement for the House.”
Ezekiel 45:19-20 TLV
Under the Law, offerings were the only way to receive forgiveness. And the laws surrounding the offering – specifically what to offer and how to offer it were clearly laid out for the priests to follow. Once a year, an atonement was made for sins committed the previous year – both known and unknown, intentional and unintentional. The sacrifice was a sacred and solemn time.
The Day of Atonement – Yom Kippur- is still observed by the Jewish people all around the world. This year it begins at sundown on October 4.
I often wonder at the causal nature we approach sin in the Western world. Yes, I believe in atonement. But am I too casual in my day to day life? Do I take His sacrifice for granted or do I measure each step and count the cost of each thing I set before me – things that lead to unintentional sins or sins of ignorance?
Yom Kippur is proceeded by 10 Days of Awe – or repentance. Throughout the 10 days, Jewish people focus on personal aspects of their life – how they can improve, seeking forgiveness from people they’ve wronged, and showing compassion to others. Yom Kippur is then observed by 25 hours of fasting from both food and work. Traditionally, the people and leaders wear white to symbolize purity to their service where they gather to sing and reflect as a community.
There is a lot to learn from the Jewish people and how seriously they approach atonement. There is a lot to be said about setting aside 10 days to take a hard look at our lives- sin, relationships, and shortcomings. Ten Days of Awe – the days of insightful, intentional, purposeful reflection.
Today is 9/11 and it’s my 250th blog. I remember 9/11/01. I remember where I was when I saw the second plane hit the tower as I’m sure you remember where you were. I recall sitting in prayer and worship with the staff at Shady Grove led by Gary Benjamin. I remember the repentance that day and the days that followed for our sin and the sins of our nation. For days and weeks, a soberness surrounded everyone. Forgiveness flowed freely. Worship was given willingly. Prayers abounded. Relationships where mended. Repentance was extended. Reconciliation was abundant. There was a sense of unity among all people. It is the closest thing I can imagine to what the Days of Awe and Yom Kippur must be like.
As a believer in and follower of Yeshua, I have the ultimate forgiveness. It is now up to me to walk in it and to extend it. I don’t pause often enough to thank Him for the single, greatest, most costly gift – His blood. Once and for all.
As we reflect on 9/11 today and on the Days of Awe and Yom Kippur ahead of us, may we be filled anew with a sense of wonder and gratitude of all He’s done for us.
Father – thank You for Your Word and Your truth. Thank You for Your People. Bless them with peace. Sober my heart to the gift of atonement. You are good and You keep doing good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen.
Daily Reading: Ezekiel 44-45
September 11, 2022