The Day of Atonement is also known as Yom Kippur. This is a very important day which the Jews still celebrate today. It marks the end of ten days of fasting and repentance. It is a day when they will make right their relationship with God. It is a day of great spiritual significance. The atonement of Christ for our sins is remembered on the Day of Atonement.

1. Our Great Need for Atonement (Lev 16:1-2)

Nadab and Abihu died when they offered strange fire before the Lord (Lev 16:1). It reminds us that we are not to worship the Lord any way we like. Aaron could not enter the holy place any day he liked. Otherwise, it would be like offering strange fire before God. God determines the day when atonement is to be made by the high priest. We daily sin against God, but it is only by God’s mercies that we are not consumed like Nadab and Abihu. We must not take God’s mercies for granted. We can only come before God through the Lord Jesus Christ and His work of atonement.

2. The Provision of a Mediator (Lev 16:3-5)

In Leviticus 16:3-5, Aaron the high priest brought the offerings of atonement as a mediator. He had to first sacrifice an offering for his own sins before he entered the Holy of Holies representing the children of Israel. What Aaron did prefigured Christ who is our Great High Priest. Unlike Aaron, Jesus Christ is without sin. On the Day of Atonement, Aaron the high priest had to put away his usual priestly garment and put on plain linen garments. This showed the humility of the high priest when he entered into the presence of God. Humility is seen in Jesus Christ when He gave up heaven’s glory to come to earth to suffer as the Messiah.

3. The Provision of Sacrifice (Lev 16:6-10)

Aaron first offered a bullock as a sacrifice for his own sins. It was the best and most expensive offering. Thereafter, he took two goats as sin offerings for the children of Israel. One goat was killed and its blood scattered on the mercy seat signifying the appeasement of God’s wrath. The other goat was released into the wilderness, signifying that the sins of the children of Israel had been forgiven and taken away. This is what Christ had accomplished for us when He died on the cross for our sins.

The Day of Atonement is not just about the atonement of our sins but also the forgiveness of our sins. We must remember that Christ has completed the atonement sacrifice for our sins and has forgiven us. The Lord Jesus Christ is our great High Priest, our Mediator and the atonement sacrifice for our sins.