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Yom Kippur 5763
by Rabbi Jack "Yaacov" Farber
Yom Kippur shows us the meaning of Yeshua's redemptive work. Vayikra (Leviticus) {16:29} And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you: {16:30} For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the L-RD. {16:31} It shall be a Sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever. The tenth day of the seventh month spoke of in this passage is the Hebrew month of Tishrei, the month we will be in when you receive this message Throughout the Book of Vayikra G-d teaches us about the various offerings for sin, but now here in chapter 16 He delivers sin its final blow. Yes right here in Vayikra 16 G-d shows us a clear picture of Yeshua's redemptive work. Mishlei (Proverbs) {16:25} There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Many people say that all religions are basically the same, that we all worship the same G-d. They insist that everyone has their own way to approach Him. But I am here to tell you today that there is only one way to G-d, and that is His way. All other ways lead direct to hell. We are going to explore that way, as we learn about the Feast of Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur during biblical times was not an ordinary day. The sacrificing on this day was not like any of the other sacrifices performed during the year. This once a year sacrifice required that the Kohen HaGadol (High Priest) enter the Kodesh Hakodashim (Holy of Holies) alone, it was just him and G-d. He took with him a vessel containing the blood of the goat upon which the sacrificial lot fell. This blood was then sprinkled on the kaporet (Mercy Seat), which covered the Aron HaKodesh (Ark of the Covenant) found in the Kodesh Hakodashim. If acceptable, that is if the animal sacrificed was without spot or blemish, G-d received the offering and declared the sins of b'nai Yisreal (the children of Israel) atoned for. Yeshua's sacrifice was like no other. He entered alone on our behalf, into the Kodesh Hakodashim, but not the one built by man. Yeshua entered the heavenly Kodesh Hakodashim there to sprinkle His blood on the heavenly Kaporet. This was now a one time sacrifice, not only however only for the sins of b'nai Yisrael, but for all the sin of the world. By accomplishing this Yeshua became our bridge to G-d. It is the blood that atones for sin. The Temple no longer exists, it has not existed now for two thousand years, but the fact of the matter is, it no longer has to exist, at least for the time being. Yeshua has and still is accomplishing this Yom Kippur atonement for us and for the world, in heaven. Yom Kippur teaches us how we are to approach G-d. Anyone who does not come to Him His way, that is through the atonement accomplished by Yeshua, is coming to Him in an unacceptable way. The Yom Kippur sacrifice had to be a blood sacrifice and that blood had to be handled as described in Vayikra 16. There was no other way for Yom Kippur atonement then and there is no other way now. G-d eliminated the necessity of a Temple by satisfying His own commandment on our behalf. That is why the Temple no longer exists. Vayikra {16:4} He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with the linen mitre shall he be attired: these are holy garments; therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and so put them on. On Yom Kippur the Kohen Ha Gadol had to remove the beautiful garments he wore, which were an insignia of his high office. G-d described them as garments of "glory and beauty." Instead, on this day he was to wear simple linen clothing. This was after all the day he was approaching G-d, and he could not do so with vestitures of authority, because before G-d he had none. The Kohen's beautiful clothing were given to him to represent G-d before the people but on this day, Yom Kippur, the Kohen HaGadol was representing the people before G-d. All power and authority are the L-rd's. Likewise Yeshua set aside His glory and honour and took upon Himself the humble garment of human flesh. In doing so He did not set aside His deity, He just set aside His glory so as to humble Himself for us before the Father. G-d gave us the Feast of Yom Kippur as a shadow of things to come. It would remain in effect until the fullness of time, when a better kaporah (sacrifice) would take its place. That better kaporah has come. In biblical times they celebrated Yom Kippur by looking forward in anticipation of Yeshua's coming. Today we celebrate Yom Kippur by looking back to what Yeshua has done for us and for the world. G-d's commandments to us are clear, we know what He wants us to do. If we fail to do what He wants, how He wants us to do it, it is willful disobedience on our part. Dare you risk the consequences of such disobedience? Better you should say; "As for me and my house, we will serve the L-rd."Rabbi Jack "Yaacov" Farber is the spiritual leader of Congregation Melech Yisrael in Toronto, Canada. Copyright 2002
- Romans 1:16, NIV |