Jews still celebrate the feasts, or sacred days, that God prescribed for them. Moses relayed the Lord's words and later wrote down detailed instructions, so the people of Israel would not stray because of ignorance. The most sacred of all the observances was the Day of Atonement, when the high priest would enter into the innermost sanctum of the Tabernacle and offer a special sacrifice that would cleanse the people from their sins.
God told Moses to construct a tent, or tabernacle. God told Moses exactly how it would look, what materials it would be made of, and how it would be used. The nation of Israel had built this portable worship center within a year of leaving Egypt and carried it with them as they wandered in the desert.
Later King Solomon built a temple, again to exact specifications. As in the Tabernacle, the Temple had an inner room where the glory of God dwelt. Once a year, the high priest - and he alone - could enter this hidden area without dying. He would prepare himself ritually and carry with him the sacrificial blood that would atone for the sins of the nation.
The high priest carried sacrificial blood into the inner room to obtain forgiveness for the people. The priest and the people would spend the week before this annual ritual in repentance, prayer, and fasting. Everything was designed to show reverence for God and obedience to His direction.
After the Temple was destroyed, the Jews no longer had a place designated by God to offer animal sacrifices. They continued to observe the special day set aside for atonement by spending the week before it in fasting and prayer. This tradition has continued to this day among orthodox Jews.
Christians have their own rituals, based on the Jewish traditions but changed by Jesus' death and resurrection. Good Friday reminds them of the death of Jesus, who was the perfect sacrifice to pay for all sin. Easter celebrates his triumphal resurrection that signifies eternal life for all who believe. Instead of a week of preparation to receive God's forgiveness, Christians have the period of Lent. This forty-day time of self-denial and reflection on man's sinful condition leads up to the day of Jesus's death. Then Easter is a time of feasting and rejoicing.
Since orthodox Jews do not accept Jesus as their messiah, they hope to rebuild their temple one day and have a place to resume their ritual sacrifices. Christians accept Jesus' death as a one-time but eternally sufficient payment for the sins of all who repent, accept his sacrifice, and surrender their lives to him.
We can all be thankful that a holy God made a way for sinful mankind to be pardoned and reconciled. It is an amazing gift of forgiveness and eternal life, and one that came at a fearful price. Jesus paid it for us.
God told Moses to construct a tent, or tabernacle. God told Moses exactly how it would look, what materials it would be made of, and how it would be used. The nation of Israel had built this portable worship center within a year of leaving Egypt and carried it with them as they wandered in the desert.
Later King Solomon built a temple, again to exact specifications. As in the Tabernacle, the Temple had an inner room where the glory of God dwelt. Once a year, the high priest - and he alone - could enter this hidden area without dying. He would prepare himself ritually and carry with him the sacrificial blood that would atone for the sins of the nation.
The high priest carried sacrificial blood into the inner room to obtain forgiveness for the people. The priest and the people would spend the week before this annual ritual in repentance, prayer, and fasting. Everything was designed to show reverence for God and obedience to His direction.
After the Temple was destroyed, the Jews no longer had a place designated by God to offer animal sacrifices. They continued to observe the special day set aside for atonement by spending the week before it in fasting and prayer. This tradition has continued to this day among orthodox Jews.
Christians have their own rituals, based on the Jewish traditions but changed by Jesus' death and resurrection. Good Friday reminds them of the death of Jesus, who was the perfect sacrifice to pay for all sin. Easter celebrates his triumphal resurrection that signifies eternal life for all who believe. Instead of a week of preparation to receive God's forgiveness, Christians have the period of Lent. This forty-day time of self-denial and reflection on man's sinful condition leads up to the day of Jesus's death. Then Easter is a time of feasting and rejoicing.
Since orthodox Jews do not accept Jesus as their messiah, they hope to rebuild their temple one day and have a place to resume their ritual sacrifices. Christians accept Jesus' death as a one-time but eternally sufficient payment for the sins of all who repent, accept his sacrifice, and surrender their lives to him.
We can all be thankful that a holy God made a way for sinful mankind to be pardoned and reconciled. It is an amazing gift of forgiveness and eternal life, and one that came at a fearful price. Jesus paid it for us.
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