Atonement

"I desire mercy, not sacrifice; the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. Hosea 6:6

This Monday is the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. It is the culmination of the Jewish High Holy Season. On Yom Kippur, the high priest enters the Holy of Holies to offer a sacrifice. The sins of the people are rolled back one year, and harmony is restored as the people are reconciled to God. It is called the Day of Atonement because action is taken to correct a wrong and amend or restore broken relationships.

But for those on the "other side of the cross", it is not necessary to bring our sacrifices for atonement or for repairing a broken relationship. God has given us a share in the very life and death of Christ. “He has forgiven all our sins and has wiped out the written evidence of broken commandments which always hung over our heads, and has completely annulled it by nailing it to the cross.” (Colossians 2:13, 14). The New Testament changes forgiveness from a ritual to an act of grace.

However, forgiveness carries an obligation. Jesus explained this to his followers in the story of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21-35). Our acceptance of the forgiveness of God requires that we show the same kindness and understanding to others.

In the prayer that Jesus modeled for His disciples, He included the obligation of forgiveness: “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

Our Day of Atonement comes each day, each time that we forgive, each time that we give, and each time we realize the needs of others and respond.

When we share the good news—that God is among us, that His Holy Spirit strengthens and guides us, and that His love supersedes all others—we know atonement and our spirits are at rest.