Isaiah 1:18 "Come now, and let us reason together", says
the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as
snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool."
The Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur in Hebrew, was the single
most important day during the time of Yeshua (Jesus) and still holds utmost
significance in Israel and among Jews worldwide today.
I mentioned that every year the high priest would sacrifice a goat
and sprinkle its blood on the altar for the atonement of the people. But
there were actually two goats sacrificed on this day. One’s blood was
sprinkled on the altar but the other was led to a cliff in the wilderness,
where it would meet its end. This goat was called the "scapegoat" – it
represented the "carrying away" of the iniquities of the children of
Israel.
It is in connection with this ceremony, that an interesting
tradition arose which is mentioned in the Mishna, an ancient Jewish
commentary. A crimson colored sash would be placed on the door of the
Temple before that second goat was sent into the wilderness. When the goat
died, somehow the sash would mysteriously turn to white. And this was a
sign to Israel that God had accepted their sacrifice and their sins were
forgiven. The Mishna goes on to say, however, that something mysteriously
happened in 30 AD, approximately forty years before the destruction of the
Second Temple. Despite the continued goat sacrifices each year, the sash
never turned to white again.
Hmm. What other very significant thing happened about this very
time? Yeshua (Jesus) died.
Two thousand years ago, the final
sacrifice was made for the atonement of our sins and for the sins of all
who would believe. Yes! Yeshua is the Messiah! He has died and risen again!
He rules at the right hand of our Father and He is interceding for us right
now! Let's pray for the world's eyes to be opened today! There's so much
work to be done! (George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah)
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