Finding Messiah in Yom Kippur

First, the author of the book of Hebrews affirms that the blood of goats and bulls does sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh... our outer self. He uses that lesser truth to illustrate the greater fact that the blood of Christ cleanses our conscience... our inner self.

Second, the Greek word translated as "conscience" is συνειδησις (suneidesis, {strongsG}Strong's #4893{/strongsG}). This word is not limited to mean our "inner sense of what is right and wrong"¹. Its full meaning refers to our complete consciousness or the collective sum of our thoughts. Suneidesis comes from Greek words that mean "to see together"² indicating the whole of our thoughts. This sounds very similar to the words of Paul:

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)

How we think changes significantly once we become disciples of the Messiah Yeshua. He is actively renewing our minds daily as we grow in faith and the knowledge of our Savior and His Word. How much more so will we be changed upon His glorious appearing?

If we consider that Yom Teruah (the Feast of Trumpets) will mark the return of Messiah (1 Corinthians 15:52), what can we expect nine days later?  First, we will be given new bodies.  He will cleanse our minds of all impurities.  And we will be washed spotless to be His Bride clothed in white linen (Revelation 19:7-8).

Consider also the words regarding cleansing that John gave us:

but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:7-9)

The Body of Messiah

Paul tells us in Colossians chapter 2 that nobody should act as our judge regarding food, drink, "in respect to a festival, " a new moon, or a Sabbath day.  These things are a shadow of "what is to come" [present tense!], and the substance (or the body) belongs to Messiah (Col 2:16-17). If Messiah is casting a shadow that looks like the food laws, the moedim, new moon festivals, and the Sabbath, then they are all pointing toward Him and are an outline of Who He is.

Yom Kippur pictures the Messiah:

• He is the Great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14) who will bring atonement and cleansing for His people.
• He is the One Who "stands in readiness" to lead away our uncleanness with the scapegoat, the goat of removal.
• He is the "scapegoat" that will bear our sins and take them away (Hebrews 9:28).

As we celebrate this moed, He is ever present in the words of Scripture, in our minds, and in our hearts.

Next, let's examine the traditions of Yom Kippur.