THE APPOINTED TIMES OF GOD PT. 2
This Wednesday, September 18 is the Highest Holy Day on the Jewish calendar known as, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.
We learn from scripture (Lev. 23:26-32) that the Day of Atonement was on the tenth day of the month of Tishri. It was a great day of national cleansing and repentance from sin. It was known as the Day of Judgment in the Old Covenant.
We who are in Christ understand that Jesus paid the price for us with his own blood, establishing a New Covenant with that blood; but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take time often and reflect on how great that sacrifice was and remember how we have need of continual cleansing in our daily lives.
Remembering is key for us. During the Last Supper, Jesus shared the bread and the cup with his disciples and said-“As often as you do this, do this in remembrance of me.”
We must take time often but especially during the Appointed Times of the Lord, to remember the cup of suffering that our savior drank on our behalf.
Last week we talked about how the Feast of Tabernacles is an opportunity for us to enter into God’s rest. One of the ways we enter the “rest of God” is by remembering the Day of Atonement.
Many Christians fail to see the benefit that repentance plays in entering God’s rest.
Even though God has forgiven us of our sins, this doesn’t mean that we don’t need a continual cleansing. Cleansing brings rest. We must judge ourselves, and rightly so, but it must be done THROUGH the blood of Jesus. Only then can we be cleansed and restored.
In the first covenant, the blood of bulls and goats only covered their sin; but in the New Covenant, the blood of Jesus washes away our sin and cleanses us completely from all unrighteousness, therefore reconciling us back to the Father.
“If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.’ 1 John 1:6-9
Consider taking some time on Wednesday or some other day this week to have communion while remembering all that Jesus did for you at the cross, especially the shedding of his blood for the forgiveness of our sin.
I know it seems as if I talk of repentance a lot, but honestly as a church culture I don’t think we speak of it enough. This is an Appointed Time to talk about it. Also as we sprinkle the blood of Jesus over our minds our conscience is cleansed causing a trickle down effect on how we think. It can’t be understated. The blood of Jesus is an incredible mystery to be pondered and applied to our lives, dear friends.
As we end this devotion allow me to share with you the lyrics of one of my all time favorite songs as we think about the Lord this week.
When I Think About the Lord
“When I think about the Lord- how He saved me, how He raised me, how He filled me with the Holy Ghost, how He healed me to the uttermost; when I think about the Lord and how He picked me up and turned me around, how He placed my feet on solid ground-it makes me wanna shout- Hallelujah thank you Jesus, Lord you’re worthy of all the glory and all the honor and all the praise. Oh it makes me wanna SHOUT!!”
Click here to Listen in to the song.
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