Yom Kippur: The Day of Atonement and Its Fulfillment in Christ

Introduction

Today is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement — the holiest day in Judaism. For Israel, it is a solemn day of fasting, repentance, and sacrifice, rooted in the Mosaic covenant. But for the believer in Christ, Yom Kippur points to a greater and finished work: the once-for-all atonement accomplished at the cross.

The Old Testament Foundation

Yom Kippur is described in Leviticus 16. On this day, the high priest would:

• Offer sacrifices for his own sins and for the sins of the people. 
• Enter the Holy of Holies with the blood of the sacrifice. 
• Lay hands on the scapegoat, symbolically transferring Israel’s sins, and send it into the wilderness. 

This was done every year because the blood of bulls and goats could never take away sins (Hebrews 10:4). It was a temporary covering (atonement = “kippur”) pointing to something greater.

Paul reminds us in Romans 15:4:

“For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”

The Old Testament is not the foundation of the Church, but it is the building block of our understanding. Without studying it, we cannot fully grasp what Christ has accomplished. Yom Kippur teaches us why we needed a better sacrifice and a perfect High Priest.

The Fulfillment in Christ

When Jesus Christ, the Son of God, shed His blood on the cross, He accomplished what Yom Kippur foreshadowed:

• Hebrews 9:12 – “Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” 
• Hebrews 10:10 – “By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” 

Unlike the high priest who entered the Holy of Holies year after year, Jesus entered once with His own blood, fully satisfying God’s justice. The work is finished.

Israel’s Future and Yom Kippur

Prophetically, Yom Kippur also points to a future day when Israel will recognize their true Atonement:

• Zechariah 12:10 – “They will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son.” 

At Christ’s return, Israel will experience a national day of atonement when they repent and believe on their Messiah.

What It Means for Believers Today

For us in the Body of Christ:

• We don’t wait for an annual atonement. We rest in Christ’s finished work. 
• We don’t cover sins temporarily. We trust in the once-for-all payment at the cross. 
• We don’t fear rejection. We rejoice in being accepted in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:6). 

This is why Paul exhorts us in 2 Timothy 2:15:

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Ashamed of what? Ashamed of misrepresenting God’s Word. The One we must never shame is Christ Himself — the Author of Scripture and the One who finished the work of atonement. To mishandle His Word is to dishonor Him. To rightly divide it is to glorify Him.

Every day is a reminder that “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).

Conclusion

Yom Kippur is a holy day for Israel — but for the believer in Christ, it is a vivid picture of what Jesus accomplished once for all at the cross. As Israel fasts and reflects today, may we thank God for the eternal redemption we already have in Christ. And may we study diligently, rightly dividing the Word, so that we grow in understanding and never bring shame to the Lord who gave Himself for us.