“This shall be a statute for you forever: In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall humble yourselves and do no work… for on this day atonement shall be made for you, to cleanse you; from all your sins you shall be clean before the Lord.” — Leviticus 16:29–30

Last night at sundown, and continuing until sundown today, our Jewish siblings observe Yom Kippur—the Day of Atonement. It is the holiest day of the year in Judaism. According to tradition, God opens the Book of Life on Rosh Hashanah and inscribes each person’s fate for the coming year. Those ten “Days of Awe” between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are given for repentance, reconciliation, and forgiveness. On Yom Kippur, the verdict is sealed.

The biblical roots of this holy day reach back to the wilderness wanderings of Israel. After the sin of the golden calf, Moses shattered the first tablets of the covenant. God, in mercy, commanded him to return to Sinai and receive the law a second time. According to rabbinic tradition, Moses descended from the mountain with the new tablets on Yom Kippur—and on that day he announced to the people that God had forgiven their sin. Thus, Yom Kippur became fixed as a perpetual day of forgiveness.

The readings for Yom Kippur deepen its themes:

• Leviticus 16, which describes the priestly service of atonement,
• Isaiah 57, which warns that fasting without justice is meaningless,
• and the Book of Jonah, reminding us that even Nineveh’s great wickedness was met by God’s mercy when they repented.

When the Temple still stood in Jerusalem, Yom Kippur was also the one day in the year when the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies—the innermost sanctuary where God’s presence dwelt. He entered with incense and blood, making atonement for the people.

This sacred image is picked up by the author of Hebrews to describe the work of Christ:

“For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands… but he entered heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself again and again… but as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself.” — Hebrews 9:24–26

Here we see the connection. In Judaism, Yom Kippur is a yearly rhythm of repentance, forgiveness, and renewal. In Christianity, we affirm the same need for confession and reconciliation, but we proclaim that Christ has become our once-for-all atonement. On the cross, he bore the weight of sin and opened the way to everlasting forgiveness.

The traditions are distinct, yet they share a profound truth: God desires mercy more than sacrifice. Forgiveness is not something we earn—it flows from God’s endless grace.

As we reflect on Yom Kippur, let us remember two things. First, forgiveness begins with honesty: naming our sins, failures, and wounds. Second, forgiveness restores hope: God is slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and eager to heal what is broken.

In a world that clings to grudges and hungers for retribution, forgiveness is still a radical act. It is both God’s gift to us and God’s calling through us. When we forgive, we join in God’s work of restoring life, reconciling communities, and healing the world.

Prayer
Merciful God, you are faithful and just, slow to anger and rich in mercy. Teach us to confess honestly, to forgive freely, and to hope in your steadfast love. As our Jewish neighbors keep Yom Kippur, renew in us the joy of your forgiveness in Christ, who is our atonement and our peace. Amen.