I. What Happened On the Day of Atonement? (Lev. 16)
A. God gives access into His presence only through His provision of atonement
1. Not even the High Priest can enter God’s presence on his own terms (v.1-2)
Leviticus 10:1-2 - Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took their respective firepans, and after putting fire in them, placed incense on it and offered strange fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. And fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD.
2. God dictates the terms needed to enter
a. God requires specific clothes for the High Priest (v. 3-4)
b. God requires atonement for the High priest and his family first (v. 5-6, 11-14)
c. God requires the sprinkling of blood on the mercy seat (atonement cover), for complete purifying atonement (v. 11-19)
d. God commands an atoning sacrifice for the people and a sin bearing scapegoat for the removal of sin (v. 20-22)
e. God prescribes the high priest, the scapegoat handler, and participants to all be washed and cleansed (v. 23-28)
f. God commands the whole congregation to humble themselves in repentance and faith (v.29, 31)
g. God commands this to be a permanent statute (v.29, 34)
II. How Does the Day of Atonement Help Us Glory in Christ?
A. Jesus is the superior mediator and High Priest
1. Jesus’s High Priesthood lasts eternally (Heb. 7:23-25)
Hebrews 7:23-25 - The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. 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.
2. Jesus didn’t need atonement first for Himself (Heb. 7:26-27)
Hebrews 7:26-27 - For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.
3. Jesus offers ONE far superior sacrifice that completely atones for sin (Heb. 9:25-26, 10:12,14)
Hebrews 9:25-26 - …nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the holy place year by year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
Hebrews 10:12, 14 - …but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD...For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.
4. Jesus sprinkles His far superior blood in a far superior temple–Heaven (Heb. 9:23-24)
Hebrews 9:23-24 - Therefore it was necessary for the copies of the things in the heavens to be cleansed with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us…
5. Jesus is a far superior scapegoat who took our sins completely away
III. How Should We Respond to the Fulfillment of the Day of Atonement In Jesus?
A. Humbling our hearts toward the Lord (Lev. 16:29, 31)
B. Drawing near with hope and assurance of faith (Heb. 10:19-22)
Hebrews 10:19-22 - Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
C. Gritty perseverance that doesn’t shrink back even in the face of severe trials (Heb. 10:34-36)
Hebrews 10:34-36 - For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one. Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.
D. Continually offering a sacrifice of praise to our God (Heb. 13:15)
Hebrews 13:15 - Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.
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