Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, was one of the most solemn days in the Old Testament. On this day, the high priest entered the Holy of Holies once a year and offered blood for his own sins and for the sins of the people.
The Book of Leviticus says:
“Aaron shall make atonement for the sanctuary… because of the Israelites’ impurities and all their transgressions.”
— Leviticus 16:16
The blood of the sacrificial animals was used in the rites of atonement. These sacrifices were commanded by God as part of the worship of the Old Covenant, but they pointed toward something greater that was still to come.
Jesus Is the Fulfillment
The New Testament reveals the deeper meaning of these sacrifices. Jesus Christ is both the true High Priest and the perfect sacrifice. He did not enter an earthly Holy of Holies with the blood of an animal. Instead, He offered His own Blood and entered the heavenly sanctuary.
The Letter to the Hebrews explains:
“He entered once for all into the sanctuary, not with the blood of goats and calves but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.”
— Hebrews 9:12
This is the great difference between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. The sacrifices of Yom Kippur had to be repeated. Christ offered Himself once, for all.
Hebrews tells us:
“But now once for all he has appeared at the end of the ages to take away sin by his sacrifice.”
— Hebrews 9:26
And again:
“So also Christ, offered once to take away the sins of many.”
— Hebrews 9:28
From the Blood of Animals to the Blood of Christ
The Old Testament sacrifices were a preparation and foreshadowing of the perfect sacrifice of Christ. The blood of animals could not ultimately take away sin. Hebrews says:
“For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats take away sins.”
— Hebrews 10:4
But Christ, the spotless Lamb of God, offered Himself freely on the Cross for the salvation of the world.
St. John the Baptist proclaimed:
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
— John 1:29
Through the sacrifice of Jesus, the Old Covenant finds its fulfillment in the New and Eternal Covenant. His sacrifice does not need to be repeated because Christ offered Himself once for all.
“For by one offering he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated.”
— Hebrews 10:14
Yom Kippur therefore helps us understand the Cross: the high priest entered the Holy of Holies with sacrificial blood; Jesus, our eternal High Priest, entered the heavenly sanctuary with His own Blood. What was foreshadowed in the Old Testament was fulfilled perfectly in Jesus Christ.
The sacrifices of the Old Covenant pointed toward Christ. The Cross is their fulfillment.
Give Thanks for the Cross
If you are a Christian, and especially if you are Catholic, take a moment to consider what Jesus Christ has done for you.
You did not earn this gift. Christ freely gave Himself for you on the Cross. He bore our sins, shed His Precious Blood, and opened the way to reconciliation with God and eternal life.
When you look at the Cross, remember that Jesus did not die for humanity only in some distant, abstract way. He died for you.
Let your heart respond with gratitude:
Thank You, Jesus, for loving me.
Thank You for giving Your life for me.
Thank You for shedding Your Precious Blood for the forgiveness of my sins.
Help me never to take Your sacrifice for granted.
May I live my life in gratitude, faith, and love for You.
Amen.
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