 The Covenant Values of The Feast of Atonement
Summary
The Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, remembers the one day of the year when the high priest would go into the tabernacle, behind the veil, into the Holy of Holies to atone for the sin of the people. On the Mercy Seat covering the Ark of the Covenant, the priest would sprinkle the blood of the covenant sacrifice. 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 God’s judgment, transforming it to mercy.
The sacrificial blood of Messiah was poured out once and for all reversing God’s judgment of sin. As much as we need to allow the Holy Spirit to convict our heart of sin, we also need to allow our heart to receive with conviction the Father’s love and the grace of Messiah’s mercy. As we receive God’s forgiveness purchased with Messiah’s blood, we can forgive others. “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (Matthew 6:14)
As we value Messiah’s sacrifice and His forgiveness, we are able to cast off condemnation, allowing the Holy Spirit to fill and refresh our heart. Such liberty enables us to walk free from guilt; and empowers us to set others free from our judgment. In a similar sense, as we take the “log” out of our eye (Matthew 7:4) and stop judging others, God cleans our eye, and clears our vision—so that we can see with His open vision.
Living free from the guilt of sin and judgment truly transfers us into a new realm. For, when you receive the liberty of the Spirit, you are transferred from the realm of the guilt and condemnation of sin to the realm of freedom in the Spirit.
We often find it difficult to shake off guilt. Therefore, we need to embrace Paul’s exhortation. “Therefore, there is no longer any condemnation awaiting those who are in union with the Messiah Yeshua. 2 Why? Because the Torah of the Spirit, which produces this life in union with Messiah Yeshua, has set me free from the “Torah” of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2 JNT)
Life Application Questions
Have you fully received the love of the Father? Do you know the mercy of Messiah? He you fully received the Holy Spirit’s comfort? How easily do you freely extend Messiah’s love to others—even difficult people? How do you extend mercy and grace to others?
Scripture References
1 John 4:16; Psalm 19:7-14; 27; 136; Hebrews 6:13-20
Book References
Faith and Fables: p. 29-30; 39-41; 135-139
Sons and Servants: p. 74-76; 90-94; 114-118
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