Atonement

15.10.05

Atonement is to make amends for wrongs done, that we may be “at-one” with our Father God. Such unity God desires – “namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting the trespasses against them.”¹

Never does the Bible teach that good deeds can make amends for wrong doings, rather “the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I [God] have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of life that makes atonement.”² So even as “Christ… gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God”³, God also gave Israel the blood of animals to make atonement in that time.

“Now if anyone… sins unintentionally… if his sin which he has committed is made known to him… then he shall lay his hand on the head of the sin offering and slay the sin offering… thus the priest shall make atonement for him in regard to the sin which he has committed, and he will be forgiven.”⁴ And so he is reconciled to God, but what of the sins that weren’t made known?

Because we are familiar with our flesh, and not always aware of what we do against God, once a year there was a day dedicated to repentance – “it is on this day that atonement shall be made for you to cleanse you; you will be clean from all your sins before the Lord”⁵

Wearing white linen representative of repentance, the high priest would cast lots, revealing the destiny of two goats. One goat was a sin offering unto the Lord, and the other was “presented alive before the Lord, to make atonement upon it.”⁶

Slaughtering the goat of the sin offering, he makes atonement for “their transgressions in regard to all their sins.”⁷ Whatever their sins have been, known or unknown, he makes atonement for them.

“Then Aaron shall lay both of his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over it all the iniquities of the sons of Israel and all their transgressions in regard to all their sins; and he shall lay them on the head of the goat and send it away into the wilderness…”⁸ Thus the sins of Israel were banished, disappearing into the desert.

On one occasion the scapegoat returned to Jerusalem after being set free.⁹ Any future recurrence of such an evil omen was prevented by pushing the goat down the slope of mount Tzuk, ensuring its death. Though effective, it seems to be an oversight in what the two goats represent.

Unity involves both parties – one one hand (or goat, if you prefer), God’s Holy requirements were met in the (continual) sacrifice of an innocent animals. But on the other hand, there is our own assurance that our sins are forgiven – as provided by the day of atonement.¹⁰

In the same way, Christ died for the Father, satisfying the just requirements of our Most Holy God. And in His resurrection, He lives for us and in us – in order to free us from the bondage of sin and to give us peace.

“The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world,”¹¹ did not carry our sins into the wilderness as a scapegoat, rather He claimed power over sin and death. We can live in the assurance that our sins are gone and never shall return. Therefore we can “have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.”¹²

Christ is the once-for-all sacrifice, and our eternal high priest – “being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek”¹³ He lives forever “therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”¹⁴

How do we draw near to God? Perhaps we need to keep the day of atonement, which “is to be a sabbath of solemn rest for you, that you may humble your souls.”¹⁵ The day of atonement was the only regular fast day prescribed in the Old Testament. While the act of not eating helps build discipline, it also makes apparent our reliance on God for energy for the day, and allows us to dedicate more time to God. The day of atonement is also a sabbath, not running around, but having some a serious rest, a chance to reflect and meditate. As with Aaron, “confess [our] sins to one another, and pray for one another so that [we] may be healed”¹⁶ and at-one.