Yom Kippur - Day of Atonement

Ikväll börjar Yom Kippur som är en av Herrens högtider. Det är den heligaste dagen i det judiska folkets kalender. 
Denna text kommer från en messiansk församling:

Yom Kippur - Day of Atonement

As we stand before the holiest of days in the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), we reflect on the meaning of this day in the light of scriptures:  

"This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month you must deny yourselves and not do any work-whether native-born or a foreigner residing among you-because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the Lord, you will be clean from all your sins. It is a day of Sabbath rest, and you must deny yourselves; it is a lasting ordinance." (Leviticus 16:29-31) 

 We commemorate this day as the Lord appointed it and each year it is still a sight difficult to get used to. Many who have never been in Israel during Yom Kippur will have a hard time imagining how the whole country, the entire nation come to a halt. It is as though life literally pauses and there's a sense of eternity in the air. The country literally stops for a day. 

It is the only day once a year when there is no work, no transportation of any kind (public or private), the streets are clear of cars, and children fill the streets and roads with their bicycles. All malls, stores, restaurants, coffee shops, private businesses as well as public institutions, from the smallest to the biggest are all closed. There is no TV, no radio, no entertainment of any kind.  

The whole nation is so aware of the importance of this day that even such secular city like Tel Aviv is immersed in fasting and praying. People go to synagogues, participate in traditional Jewish prayers of repentance, seeking the ultimate redemption: for their name to be written in the Book of Life. 

In Leviticus 16:32-34 it speaks about the work of the high priest who was to make atonement on behalf of the whole nation once a year. The atonement would be enough to cover their sins for a year.  

 "The priest who is anointed and ordained to succeed his father as high priest is to make atonement. He is to put on the sacred linen garments and make atonement for the Most Holy Place, for the tent of meeting and the altar, and for the priests and all the members of the community. This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: Atonement is to be made once a year for all the sins of the Israelites." (Lev.16:32-34)  

We, as believers, know that Yeshua is the fulfillment of Day of Atonement, as He has provided an eternal redemption ONCE FOR ALL.  

"But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption." (Hebrews 9:11-12) 

Join us in prayer for the salvation of the nation of Israel. As they open their hearts in seeking God and redemption during this holy day, we fast together with our nation for their repentance, salvation through their Messiah Yeshua and reconciliation to God. 

Also, please pray for the peace of Jerusalem and this nation, and for churches and congregations in Israel to continue growing and walking in their God-given destiny."