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.
The first worship center for the Jews was the Tabernacle, a tent made to the exact specifications God gave Moses. The Israelites carried this tent with them as they wandered in the desert. When they were encamped, God was with them in the tabernacle. His presence was marked by a pillar of smoke in the day and a pillar of fire at night.
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.
Of course, this sacrifice is symbolic. The scriptures reveal that the life is in the blood, and that the wages of sin are death. Blood must be shed to reconcile a holy God with his sinful people. The Jewish people would prepare for this, the most holy day in their calendar, with fasting, prayer, and repentance.
The destruction of the Temple meant that the Jewish people no longer had their special place to gather for worship or to offer sacrifices. The annual day for repentance and God's forgiveness could no longer be marked by animal sacrifice. The people continued to prepare for it with a week of prayer and fasting, and to celebrate the day with sabbath rest and reflection.
For Christians, it is not the loss of the Temple that caused them to stop animal sacrifice. Rather, they believe that the death of Jesus on the cross paid the price for sin once and for all. They remember His death on Good Friday and His resurrection on Easter. Many observe the season of Lent as a time for repentance and reconciliation with God. This is made possible by the atoning sacrifice of not an animal but of God's own son. Mankind's redemption is paid for by God Himself, in the most amazing event in history.
Orthodox Jews await the rebuilding of the Temple, so animal sacrifices can resume. Christians believe that Jesus was a perfect and sufficient sacrifice for all time, and therefore no further ritual deaths are required. Those who confess their sin, believe that Jesus paid the price for them, and accept the forgiveness and lordship of God receive eternal life. In Christian theology, any day that a believer does this becomes an atoning one.
Although this special day is mainly a Jewish tradition, there is great significance in it for Christians, too. Knowing that man could not redeem himself, and that God so loved them that he not only allowed but required his son to die for mankind, leads to a deep regret for wickedness and a desire to live a holy life as much as possible.
The first worship center for the Jews was the Tabernacle, a tent made to the exact specifications God gave Moses. The Israelites carried this tent with them as they wandered in the desert. When they were encamped, God was with them in the tabernacle. His presence was marked by a pillar of smoke in the day and a pillar of fire at night.
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.
Of course, this sacrifice is symbolic. The scriptures reveal that the life is in the blood, and that the wages of sin are death. Blood must be shed to reconcile a holy God with his sinful people. The Jewish people would prepare for this, the most holy day in their calendar, with fasting, prayer, and repentance.
The destruction of the Temple meant that the Jewish people no longer had their special place to gather for worship or to offer sacrifices. The annual day for repentance and God's forgiveness could no longer be marked by animal sacrifice. The people continued to prepare for it with a week of prayer and fasting, and to celebrate the day with sabbath rest and reflection.
For Christians, it is not the loss of the Temple that caused them to stop animal sacrifice. Rather, they believe that the death of Jesus on the cross paid the price for sin once and for all. They remember His death on Good Friday and His resurrection on Easter. Many observe the season of Lent as a time for repentance and reconciliation with God. This is made possible by the atoning sacrifice of not an animal but of God's own son. Mankind's redemption is paid for by God Himself, in the most amazing event in history.
Orthodox Jews await the rebuilding of the Temple, so animal sacrifices can resume. Christians believe that Jesus was a perfect and sufficient sacrifice for all time, and therefore no further ritual deaths are required. Those who confess their sin, believe that Jesus paid the price for them, and accept the forgiveness and lordship of God receive eternal life. In Christian theology, any day that a believer does this becomes an atoning one.
Although this special day is mainly a Jewish tradition, there is great significance in it for Christians, too. Knowing that man could not redeem himself, and that God so loved them that he not only allowed but required his son to die for mankind, leads to a deep regret for wickedness and a desire to live a holy life as much as possible.
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