Sin Offering for Atonement

Sacred Gifts and Holy Gatherings
Holy Days
Day of Atonement

Leviticus 16:1-10  The Message

The Day of Atonement

16 ^1-2 After the death of Aaron’s two sons—they died when they came before God with strange fire—God spoke to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron not to enter into the Holy of Holies, barging inside the curtain that’s before the Atonement-Cover on the Chest whenever he feels like it, lest he die, because I am present in the Cloud over the Atonement-Cover.

^3-5 “This is the procedure for Aaron when he enters the Holy Place: He will bring a young bull for an Absolution-Offering and a ram for a Whole-Burnt-Offering; he will put on the holy linen tunic and the linen underwear, tie the linen sash around him, and put on the linen turban. These are the sacred vestments so he must bathe himself with water before he puts them on. Then from the Israelite community he will bring two male goats for an Absolution-Offering and a Whole-Burnt-Offering.
^6-10 “Aaron will offer the bull for his own Absolution-Offering in order to make atonement for himself and his household. Then he will set the two goats before God at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and cast lots over the two goats, one lot for God and the other lot for Azazel. He will offer the goat on which the lot to God falls as an Absolution-Offering. The goat on which the lot for Azazel falls will be sent out into the wilderness to Azazel to make atonement.
 

For Reflection 

Perhaps one of the most important outcomes of the Christ event was that God was shown to live among us.  God was no longer unapproachable.  God became knowable to all.  Jesus, the Christ, made obvious that willingness to be obedient to God's will, leads to a new covenant with Jesus interceding for each of us.  With His blood, Jesus has purged the earth of its sinful contamination.  Christ has shown us the way of salvation.  Holiness is restored to the community of God's people. 

Pray

prayers of thanksgiving for the living God, found in Jesus Christ.   Pray so that you remain in an intimate relationship with Christ.  Pray that you will emulate the living Christ.