Hebrews 9:12 NKJV
This evening marks the start of Yom Kippur, the “Day of Atonement,” the holiest day of the year for the Jews. In the Old Testament, it was the only day the high priest could enter into the inner sanctuary of the tabernacle (or Temple), the Holy of Holies. There, he would sprinkle the blood of an animal on the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant to atone for the sins of himself and the people of Israel.
Because the life of the flesh is in the blood (Lev. 17:11) and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin or release from guilt (Hebrews 9:22), an animal sacrifice had to be made to cover their sin, and that, for only a year.
Yet, this was all a PICTURE that POINTS to Jesus, the PERFECT SACRIFICE and our SUBSTANCE!
Not only that, the blood of bulls and goats only “covered” sin outwardly, while at the cross (the True Ark), the sinless blood of The Lamb TOOK AWAY your sin ONCE AND FOR ALL, giving you a new heart!
Beloved, there is no mercy apart from the blood. Jesus IS your High Priest (He represents you, He intercedes for you, He empathizes with your weaknesses and sufferings). He IS your mercy seat (come boldly and freely to the Throne of Love and receive His undeserved grace!). He is your atonement (He redeemed you! You were bought out of slavery with the precious blood of Christ!).
This means that as a believer, you are now a righteous son, a righteous daughter! You have been stamped with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; eternally His with an imperishable inheritance!
Your conscience has been cleansed! Don’t be sin-conscious. Don’t be guilt-conscious. Be Jesus-conscious! Be Righteousness-conscious! As He is to the Father, so are you! You are made new and are perfect in God’s eyes!
“For the Messiah did not enter into the earthly tabernacle made by men, which was but an echo of the true sanctuary, but He entered into heaven itself to appear before the face of God in our place.”Hebrews 9:24 TPT
Blessed Yom Kippur!
Resting In His Love,
Annalee Reyes