There was one day each year when the high priest of Israel could enter the Temple and go where no one else could go. On Yom Kippur—the Day of Atonement—he passed beyond the veil and entered the Most Holy Place, carrying sacrificial blood into the presence of God. Outside, the people waited. Inside, the high priest stood before the holy presence of God on behalf of the entire nation. Year after year, generation after generation, Israel returned to this solemn day. The sacrifices were offered, the sins of the people were covered, and the high priest came out again. But the ceremony was never meant to be the final answer. Hidden within it was a prophetic picture of something far greater still to come.
Here in Israel, Yom Kippur is approaching, and once again the atmosphere of the entire country is beginning to change. The streets grow quiet. Businesses close. Families gather. People fast, pray, repent, ask forgiveness, and examine their hearts. It remains the most solemn day on the Jewish calendar. Yet as followers of Yeshua, we see something extraordinary in this biblical Feast: what Israel’s high priest entered once every year, our Messiah entered once for all.
The book of Hebrews helps us understand what was taking place inside the Temple.
Under the old covenant, the high priest entered the Most Holy Place “once a year, not without blood” (Hebrews 9:7). He first offered a sacrifice for himself and then for the people. But when the Day of Atonement ended, the work was not finished forever. Another year would come, and another sacrifice would be required. The Temple sacrifices continued because they were pointing beyond themselves, signs of a redemption that could not finally be accomplished through the blood of animals.
Then came Yeshua.
Hebrews tells us that Messiah entered “the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands” and entered the Most Holy Place “once for all… with His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:11–12). This is the breathtaking fulfillment at the heart of Yom Kippur. Yeshua did not enter carrying the blood of another sacrifice. He Himself became the sacrifice. The high priest entered the earthly Temple once a year; Yeshua entered the true heavenly sanctuary once for all. What the annual offerings could never complete, He accomplished perfectly and eternally.
That changes the way we approach God.
We do not have to spend our lives wondering whether we have done enough to earn His forgiveness or make ourselves acceptable before Him. Our confidence is not in our works, our goodness, or our ability to repair ourselves. Our confidence is in Yeshua and what He has already accomplished for us. The veil has been opened, the sacrifice has been made, the price has been paid, and eternal redemption has been secured.
But grace does not make self-examination unnecessary. In fact, it gives us the freedom to examine our hearts honestly. Is there someone I need to forgive? Is there someone from whom I need to ask forgiveness? Is there something in my heart that I have allowed to remain there too long? Have I drifted from the closeness with God I once knew? We do not ask these questions in order to earn atonement. We ask them because we have received it.
Perhaps this is where Yom Kippur speaks most personally to us.
We can become so focused on what we need to do—how we need to improve, change, fix, or prove ourselves—that our attention quietly moves away from the One who has already done what we could never do. God calls us to turn our eyes back to Yeshua. As we look to Him, the Holy Spirit works within us, bringing conviction where we have wandered, restoring what has grown weary, and drawing us again into the closeness with God for which we were created.
Here in Israel, as our people fast and pray on this appointed day, we are praying too. We pray that the eyes of our people will be opened to recognize the One to whom the Day of Atonement has always been pointing. We pray for salvation throughout Israel. And I pray for you—that Yom Kippur will not simply be another biblical Feast you read about, but a moment when you allow God to draw you closer to Himself.
So as Yom Kippur approaches, take some time before the Lord.
Forgive where forgiveness is needed. Ask forgiveness where you have caused hurt. Allow the Holy Spirit to search your heart. But above all, look again to Yeshua. The high priest entered the Temple once a year, but Yeshua entered once for all. And because He did, we have something no human effort could ever obtain: eternal redemption.
