In recognition that Jesus observed this 10th day of Tishri as a Day of Atonement, a Jewish holy day known as Yom Kippur proclaimed in the Law of Moses
(see Lev 16:29-30; 23:26-32), I have selected readings as an expression of my appreciation for His perfect, once-for-all-time atonement He made for my sins.
Isaiah 59 [selected, emph added]
1
Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save,
nor his ear too dull to hear.
2 But your iniquities have separated
you from your God;
your sins have hidden his face from you,
so that he will not hear.
3 For your hands are stained with blood,
your fingers with guilt.
Your lips have spoken lies,
and your tongue mutters wicked things.
4 No one calls for justice;
no one pleads his case with integrity.
They rely on empty arguments and speak lies;
they conceive trouble and give birth to evil.
7 Their feet rush into sin;
they are swift to shed innocent blood.
Their thoughts are evil thoughts;
ruin and destruction mark their ways.
8 The way of peace they do not know;
there is no justice in their paths.
They have turned them into crooked roads;
no one who walks in them will know peace.
9 So justice is far from us,
and righteousness does not reach us.
We look for light, but all is darkness;
for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows.
10 Like the blind we grope along the wall,
feeling our way like men without eyes.
At midday we stumble as if it were twilight;
among the strong, we are like the dead.
11 We all growl like bears;
we moan mournfully like doves.
We look for justice, but find none;
for deliverance, but it is far away.
12 For our offenses are many in your sight,
and our sins testify against us.
Our offenses are ever with us,
and we acknowledge our iniquities:
13 rebellion and treachery against the LORD,
turning our backs on our God,
fomenting oppression and revolt,
uttering lies our hearts have conceived.
14 So justice is driven back,
and righteousness stands at a distance;
truth has stumbled in the streets,
honesty cannot enter.
15 Truth is nowhere to be found,
and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.
The LORD looked and was displeased
that there was no justice.
16 He saw that there was no one,
he was appalled that there was no one to intervene;
so his own arm worked salvation for him,
and his own righteousness sustained him.
17 He put on righteousness as his breastplate,
and the helmet of salvation on his head;
he put on the garments of vengeance
and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.
The above passage is easily adapted for use as a prayer of confession (personally or for our nation). It also serves as a reminder of the sins He has forgiven: the blood on my hands (HIS), the rebellion and treachery against God committed and atoned for, and the separateness from God that Jesus has removed.
And it certainly serves to praise the God whose "own arm worked salvation for him."
Forgive, Lord. We are undone by the long arm of Your exceeding mercy and grace. In Christ we offer unending thanks, honor, and praise.
New Testament Verses of Jesus the Christ, Son of God,
Our Atoning Sacrifice
- "All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." [Ac 10:43]
- God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. [Rm 3:25a]
- For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. [Col 1:13]
- He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. [Hb 7:27b]
- He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. [1 Jn 2:2]
