Blessed Stillness: It Takes Two

There are few things in life that I get more fulfillment from than food. Sad…I know…but it’s a practice I come by honestly. My family—like many, I’m sure—is a family of eaters. We love Thanksgiving because it’s a time to celebrate with food. We love Christmas—especially Christmas Eve—because the festivities cater around the table. Birthdays are great because we always get our favorite meal…all day long! Good grades = ice cream! 2 p.m. = Sonic happy hour! No matter the occasion, I can always find a way to sneak food in…somewhere.

It’s because of this, I think, that I find this time of year so difficult. This past Saturday was Yom Kippur—the Day of Atonement—one of the most sacred days on the Jewish calendar. It is a day when we are called to fast and pray…a day to reflect on the previous year, to repent, and to return to God.

It is a Sabbath of solemn rest for you, and you shall afflict your souls. It is a statute forever. Leviticus 16:31

We shall “afflict our souls.” What kind of holiday is that? A time to do without food…to pray through the hunger…to be sorry for my mess ups? Not my idea of a festive celebration. No…Yom Kippur isn’t a fun time for me, but He said to do it…forever…and so even though it’s difficult for me to get all excited about it…every year, once a year…I check my tummy at the door and obey His simple command.

And then…in the midst of my hunger, when I finally get my physical self out of the way…my soul quiets…and I remember the sacrifices. Plural…because there were two.

And he shall take from the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats as a sin offering…He shall take the two goats and present them before the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. Then Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats: one for the Lord and the other lot for the scapegoat…and offer it as a sin offering (Leviticus 16: 5-9).

And then came Jesus.

“Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”…Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:13,16).

He is the Christ—in Hebrew, The Anointed One—the Burden-removing, Yoke-destroying, Son of the living God. You see, Simon Peter had an epiphany that day in Caesarea Philippi…an epiphany my soul remembers as my tummy rumbles. Jesus Christ = (1) Burden-removing, (2) Yoke-destroying = two goats = two sacrifices. It took two, and Yeshua HaMashiach…Jesus Christ…is the final Atonement.

Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29).

Acting as the final Yom Kippur sacrifice, Jesus gave the ultimate gift. And as the hours tick along…sometimes creep…I dream of the dinner that awaits and CELEBRATE!...the abundant, burden-removed, yoke-destroyed life He so graciously laid down His life to give.

For further information on Jesus and Yom Kippur, check out the following resources:

A Family Guide to the Biblical Feasts (p. 329)

The Day of Atonement

Larry Huch Ministries