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Substitution
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Receiving God’s Amazing Grace by Relating with Him through the Lord’s Atonement
TRUTH AND PURPOSE
The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) was established as a sacred day to afflict the soul and confess sins before God. It remembers the one day of the year when the high priest would go into the tabernacle, behind the veil into the Holy of Holies, and sprinkle the blood of the covenant sacrifice over the Mercy Seat. From within the cloud of God’s glory over the ark, God would see the sacrificial blood as evidence of man’s atonement of sin; reversing His judgment to MERCY.
It's become apparent, however, that the daily, weekly, and monthly animal sacrifices made to atone for sin were insufficient to satisfy God’s wrath and judgment of sin and establish one’s right standing before Him. Instead, He has received the sacrificial blood of Messiah Jesus once and for all!
RELEVANCE
This appointed time of Atonement, therefore, points forward to the LORD’s sacrifice; the permanent substitute sacrifice for the sins of mankind. He demonstrated His incredible love and exchanged His life for yours! He stood in the place of judgment, and paid the price for the penalty of your sins in ADVANCE so you could walk in the will of God free from the torment of guilt, condemnation and the forces that cause depression, anxiety, and every other form of inner tension, robbing you of the peace God has ordained for you.
The writer of Hebrews in 10:5-7, therefore, quoted Psalm 40:6-8, which speaks prophetically about the LORD’s sacrifice:
Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. Then I said, 'Behold, I have come --In the volume of the book it is written of Me --To do Your will, O God.’
This appointed time, therefore, served as a shadow pointing forward to the LORD’s eternal atonement for sin. Our part is receiving His love and gift of grace and proclaiming Messiah Jesus LORD. We then walk in the new light He has given us; seeking His will be done, in our life and the lives around us.
REFLECTION, REALITY AND RESPONSE
Have you settled the issue in your heart that the LORD’s single sacrifice has permanently established your position of right-standing, or justification before God?
Are there any works you believe you have to accomplish to “earn points” with God… or earn His approval?
REFERENCES
Leviticus 23:26-32; Numbers 29:7-11; Hebrews 10:1-10;
Colossians 2:13-17
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