“He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.” Hebrews 9:12
Sin demands payment, and from the very beginning, God established a system of sacrifice to deal with it. The Day of Atonement was the most significant day of the year for Israel—a vivid picture of how sin was covered and removed. But these sacrifices weren’t the final solution; they pointed to something greater. Hebrews reveals how this ancient practice foreshadowed Jesus, the ultimate sacrifice, and our perfect High Priest.
Both the priest and the sacrifices he offered anticipated the coming of Jesus, who would be sacrificed on the cross in our place for our sins. On the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), sacrifices followed the regulations in Leviticus. This day was so significant that it was often referred to simply as “the day”—set apart to address the sin problem between humanity and God. Of the many prophetic elements involved, one stands out: the selection of two spotless goats, chosen to represent sinless perfection.
The first goat was a propitiating sin offering. The high priest slaughtered this innocent goat as a substitute for sinners who deserved death. He then sprinkled its blood on the mercy seat on top of the Ark of the Covenant in the Most Holy Place. The goat, once innocent, bore the guilt of sin, symbolizing life given as payment. The dwelling place of God was cleansed, and His just and holy wrath was satisfied.
Then, as mediator between sinful people and their holy God, the high priest laid his hands on the second goat while confessing the people’s sins. This scapegoat was then sent into the wilderness, symbolizing the removal of sin from the people’s presence.
These vivid images—the priest, the slaughtered sacrifice, and the scapegoat—were given by God to help us more fully grasp the depth of Jesus’ work on the cross.
The two goats on the Day of Atonement paint a powerful picture of what Jesus did for us. As the sacrificial goat, He took the punishment we deserved. As the scapegoat, He carried our sins far away. His work on the cross fulfilled both roles, securing our forgiveness once and for all.
Do you truly trust in His sacrifice, or are you still trying to deal with your sin on your own?
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