Finding Jesus in the Day of Atonement
Even the silence and awe of the people as the priest entered behind the veil points us to the torn veil at Christ’s death.
Finding Jesus in the Day of Atonement
Isaiah 53:6
“…but the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.”
Every detail of Yom Kippur whispers of Christ, even the clothing of the high priest. The high priest set aside his ornate garments and clothed himself in plain linen, a picture of Jesus laying aside His glory to enter our world in humility. Yet after his work was done, the priest put back on his glorious robes — foreshadowing Christ’s exaltation after His resurrection and ascension (Heb. 2:9; Phil. 2:9–11).
The blood of the bull and the goat sprinkled on the mercy seat pointed to the necessity of a substitutionary death. But Hebrews 9 declares that Christ entered not the earthly tabernacle, but the heavenly one, “not with the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption” (Heb. 9:12). He is both the Priest and the Sacrifice.
The scapegoat, sent away into the wilderness, finds fulfillment in Christ who “bore our sins in His body on the tree” (1 Pet. 2:24). Our sins are not only paid for; they are carried away, never to be held against us. The timing of the day — once per year, and only through one man — foreshadows that Christ’s offering was once for all, sufficient for every believer across all time.
Even the silence and awe of the people as the priest entered behind the veil points us to the torn veil at Christ’s death (Matt. 27:51). Through Him, access is no longer limited. The way into the presence of God has been opened forever!
In every thread of linen, every drop of blood, every ritual detail, Christ is revealed. The Day of Atonement is not just an obscure Jewish holy day but a shadow fulfilled in Jesus — the Lamb slain, the High Priest interceding, the Scapegoat who carries our sins and the King now exalted.
Amen!!
