Understanding Atonement: Christ as Our High Priest

Summary

In today's reflection, we delved into the profound significance of the Day of Atonement as described in Leviticus 16, exploring its implications for our understanding of sin, atonement, and the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, was a pivotal moment for the Israelites, serving as a solemn reminder of their sins and God's provision for atonement through the high priest's intercession. This ancient ritual, though distant from our modern context, points us to the ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who is our true high priest and the perfect sacrifice for our sins.

The ritual involved the high priest entering the Holy of Holies once a year, offering sacrifices for his own sins and those of the people. This act symbolized the cleansing of the people and the sanctuary from the defilement of sin. The scapegoat, bearing the sins of the people, was sent into the wilderness, illustrating the removal of sin from the community. This vivid imagery foreshadows Christ's work on the cross, where He bore our sins and removed them as far as the east is from the west.

The Day of Atonement teaches us that approaching God requires humility, confession, and a recognition of our need for a mediator. It underscores the seriousness of sin and the necessity of dealing with it according to God's terms. Through Christ, we have a new and living way to enter God's presence, not by the blood of animals, but by His own blood, securing eternal redemption for us.

As we reflect on this, we are reminded of the depth of God's love and the lengths He went to restore us to Himself. The call is to live in the light of this truth, continually confessing our sins and embracing the assurance of forgiveness through Jesus. This is not just a historical ritual but a living reality that invites us into a relationship with God, marked by peace and reconciliation.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Necessity of Atonement: The Day of Atonement highlights the gravity of sin and the need for a mediator. It reminds us that we cannot approach God on our own terms but must come through the provision He has made in Christ, our ultimate high priest. [09:23]

2. The Role of Confession: Confession is not merely an admission of guilt but an agreement with God about our sin. It is a vital practice that brings spiritual refreshment and renewal, as we align ourselves with God's truth and receive His forgiveness. [30:46]

3. The Symbolism of the Scapegoat: The scapegoat, bearing the sins of the people, points to Christ, who bore our sins and removed them. This act of atonement assures us that our sins are forgiven and forgotten, allowing us to live in freedom and peace. [44:12]

4. The Fulfillment in Christ: The rituals of the Day of Atonement find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus, whose once-for-all sacrifice on the cross provides eternal redemption. This truth invites us to rest in the assurance of our salvation and live in the light of His grace. [55:10]

5. Entering God's Presence: Through Christ, the veil that separated us from God's presence is torn, granting us access to Him. This access is not based on our merit but on Christ's finished work, inviting us to draw near with confidence and assurance. [01:05:23]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [09:23] - Reading from 1 Timothy
- [11:13] - Prayer for Peace and Leaders
- [12:52] - Introduction to Leviticus 16
- [26:47] - Significance of Yom Kippur
- [27:38] - Martin Luther and Assurance of Salvation
- [29:30] - The Question of Forgiveness
- [30:46] - Confession and Spiritual Refreshment
- [32:04] - Peace through God's High Priest
- [34:00] - God's Plan for Atonement
- [36:11] - The Process of Purification
- [39:02] - Atonement for the People
- [41:01] - The Scapegoat Ritual
- [44:12] - Confession of Sins
- [55:10] - Christ as the Ultimate Sacrifice
- [01:05:23] - Entering God's Presence through Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Leviticus 16

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Observation Questions:

1. What was the role of the high priest on the Day of Atonement, and what specific actions did he perform to atone for the sins of the people? [34:00]

2. How does the ritual of the scapegoat illustrate the removal of sin from the community? [44:12]

3. What significance does the veil in the temple hold in relation to entering God's presence, and how is this changed through Christ? [01:05:23]

4. What does the Day of Atonement teach us about the seriousness of sin and the need for a mediator? [32:04]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the Day of Atonement foreshadow the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and what does this reveal about God's plan for redemption? [55:10]

2. In what ways does the role of confession play a part in spiritual renewal and refreshment, according to the sermon? [30:46]

3. How does the concept of the scapegoat in Leviticus 16 relate to the idea of Jesus bearing our sins on the cross? [44:12]

4. What does the tearing of the temple veil at Jesus' crucifixion symbolize about our access to God? [01:05:23]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the necessity of atonement. How does recognizing the gravity of sin and the need for a mediator affect your daily walk with God? [09:23]

2. Consider the role of confession in your life. How can you make confession a regular practice to align yourself with God's truth and receive His forgiveness? [30:46]

3. The scapegoat symbolizes the removal of sin. How can you live in the freedom and peace that comes from knowing your sins are forgiven and forgotten through Christ? [44:12]

4. The fulfillment of the Day of Atonement is found in Christ. How does this truth invite you to rest in the assurance of your salvation and live in the light of His grace? [55:10]

5. Through Christ, we have access to God's presence. How can you draw near to God with confidence and assurance, knowing that this access is based on Christ's finished work? [01:05:23]

6. Reflect on the depth of God's love and the lengths He went to restore us to Himself. How can this understanding motivate you to live a life marked by peace and reconciliation with God and others? [01:00:53]

7. How can you practically demonstrate humility and a recognition of your need for a mediator in your relationship with God and others? [32:04]

Devotional

Day 1: The Gravity of Sin and the Need for Atonement
The Day of Atonement, as described in Leviticus 16, underscores the seriousness of sin and the necessity of atonement. It was a day when the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies to offer sacrifices for his own sins and those of the people, symbolizing the cleansing of the community from sin's defilement. This ritual highlights the need for a mediator between humanity and God, as sin creates a barrier that cannot be crossed on our own terms. The high priest's intercession foreshadows the ultimate mediation of Christ, who, as our true high priest, offers Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. This ancient practice points us to the profound truth that we cannot approach God without acknowledging our sinfulness and the provision He has made for us in Christ. [09:23]

"For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself." (Hebrews 7:26-27, ESV)

Reflection: Consider an area in your life where you have been trying to approach God on your own terms. How can you surrender this to Christ, acknowledging Him as your mediator today?

Day 2: Confession as Alignment with God's Truth
Confession is more than just admitting guilt; it is an agreement with God about the nature of our sin. This practice is vital for spiritual refreshment and renewal, as it aligns us with God's truth and opens us to receive His forgiveness. The Day of Atonement involved the confession of sins over the scapegoat, symbolizing the transfer and removal of sin from the community. This act points to the importance of confession in our spiritual lives, reminding us that acknowledging our sins before God is a step towards healing and reconciliation. Through confession, we experience the cleansing power of God's grace, which renews our hearts and minds. [30:46]

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a sin you have been reluctant to confess. What steps can you take today to bring this before God and experience His forgiveness and renewal?

Day 3: The Scapegoat and the Removal of Sin
The symbolism of the scapegoat in the Day of Atonement ritual is a powerful illustration of the removal of sin. The high priest would confess the sins of the people over the scapegoat, which was then sent into the wilderness, symbolizing the removal of sin from the community. This vivid imagery foreshadows Christ's work on the cross, where He bore our sins and removed them as far as the east is from the west. It assures us that our sins are not only forgiven but also forgotten, allowing us to live in freedom and peace. This act of atonement invites us to embrace the reality of our forgiveness and to walk in the newness of life that Christ offers. [44:12]

"He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea." (Micah 7:19, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a past sin that you struggle to let go of. How can you embrace the truth that Christ has removed this sin and live in the freedom He offers?

Day 4: Christ's Fulfillment of the Atonement
The rituals of the Day of Atonement find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, whose once-for-all sacrifice on the cross provides eternal redemption. Unlike the repeated sacrifices of the high priests, Christ's sacrifice is complete and sufficient, securing our salvation forever. This truth invites us to rest in the assurance of our salvation and to live in the light of His grace. As we reflect on Christ's fulfillment of the atonement, we are reminded of the depth of God's love and the lengths He went to restore us to Himself. This calls us to live in gratitude and to continually embrace the assurance of forgiveness through Jesus. [55:10]

"But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet." (Hebrews 10:12-13, ESV)

Reflection: How does the assurance of Christ's once-for-all sacrifice impact your daily life? What changes can you make to live more fully in the light of His grace?

Day 5: Access to God's Presence through Christ
Through Christ, the veil that separated us from God's presence is torn, granting us access to Him. This access is not based on our merit but on Christ's finished work, inviting us to draw near with confidence and assurance. The Day of Atonement teaches us that approaching God requires humility and recognition of our need for a mediator. In Christ, we have a new and living way to enter God's presence, not by the blood of animals, but by His own blood, securing eternal redemption for us. This truth invites us into a relationship with God, marked by peace and reconciliation, and encourages us to live boldly in His presence. [01:05:23]

"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith." (Hebrews 10:19-22, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you draw near to God with confidence today, knowing that Christ has opened the way for you? How can this assurance transform your relationship with Him?

Quotes

1. "The Day of Atonement teaches us how we can see God's plan and God's provision for our sin through His high priest, that we might be at atonement, at one with God. So if you're a believer today, I hope you leave here today thankful in the atonement offered for you in Christ." [00:30:17] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The only way to enter into the presence of God is with the sacrifice of blood. Not the blood of bulls and goats, but by the blood of a sufficient sacrifice. And that is Christ." [00:56:18] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "For us, it is something that is both personal and offers us a promise. If we are to come to God, we must come in the way that He prescribes. Should we attempt to enter into God's presence? In our lives? own way, we, like Nadab and Abihu, will die." [00:57:22] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "We must come to Him humbly as a servant and not as a king. As Aaron changed his clothes, so we too must come to the Lord broken and poor in spirit. We must come to Him humbly, not about our own agenda, not about our own kingdom and our own way. We don't get to make the rules. He does." [00:57:56] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "The book of Leviticus is not a book of dry laws, but rather is this grand display of the ends by which God will go to to redeem mankind. And it points us to His own Son. You're not too far from forgiveness." [01:01:02] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "But that's why He laid the iniquity of us all on Him. And as the scapegoat exited the people of God, so Christ died outside that city that we might be brought near. This has been God's plan." [01:02:13] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "The day of atonement had to be done yearly because of the sin that God had done for us. The sin that God had done for us comes when you're a human flesh. And that yearly reminder of human flesh and sinfulness just coming was dealt with one time in Christ who took on human flesh." [01:02:59] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Jesus took on that human flesh so that mankind would have an obedient mediator, an obedient substitute, an obedient representative that the innocent would pay the price for the guilty." [01:04:42] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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