The Day of Atonement

The Setting - Leviticus 10:1-2

The two sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, offered inappropriate offerings to the Lord. They went into the Holy of Holies and as a result, they were killed by the Lord.

1. You cannot approach God on your own terms (the message for then & now)

The Situation - Leviticus 16:1-2

Aaron’s sons died when they approached God in unrepentant and active sin.

“Don’t come near, Aaron, because I will be there.”

2. Our sin is an offense to a Holy God.

The good and proper response of a holy God to our sin is

death.

The Solution - Leviticus 16:3-34

3. God has decreed that in order to approach him, sin must be paid for with blood.

V3: But this is how you come into the Holy of Holies. Such a sweet act of mercy.

The Day of Atonement - Still celebrated in Israel today.

Define atonement: Repayment for a wrong - Germany, WW1, 2010, Greece

Clothes - Holy Clothes only used once a year.

1 Bull - Sacrificed on behalf of Aaron - V11, 14

Censer full of incense to burn and create a cloud in the Holy of Holies - V12-13

2 Goats -

1 is sacrificed, it’s blood poured out on the mercy seat - V15-16

1 figuratively bears the sins of Israel and is cast out of the camp - V20-22

The Savior - Hebrews 9:6-8, 11-14

Why does the Day of Atonement matter to us?

“That you may believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

The Day of Atonement showed that a better sacrifice is needed to bring peace with God.

At Jesus’ death we find the true Day of Atonement. Vv11-12, 13-14

It is at the cross where we find the sin of the world put on Jesus.

It is at the cross where we find the blood shed for the remission of sins.

It is at the cross where we find the perfect sacrifice forsaken by God.

It is at the cross where we find the wrath of God poured in it’s entirety.

It is at the cross where Jesus declares “It is finished.”

What did he mean by that? Atonement was done.

The final price of our sin was paid to God, and God declared his holiness satisfied.

Now everyone who confesses with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and believes in their heart that God raised him from the dead will be saved.

The way to God was closed.

The warning was stay away or else you will die because of your sin.

Here’s the truth: You have offended God with your willful disobedience.

Look again at our takeaways.

This is my plea with you.

4. Life, forgiveness, and most of all reconciliation with God is through Jesus. Repent.

Now because of Jesus the message is “Come.” The way is open. Come.