The issue of sin is something that every human suffers with whether he knows it or not. For the Christian sin is something he will always struggle with, but it is something that he has been forgiven of. For the non-Christian sin is something that is either scoffed at or is something that one is ignorant to. The Book of Romans reveals that "all have sinned" (3:23) and "the wages of sin is death" (6:23). Romans also reveals that "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (5:8).

The Book of Hebrews deals with the subject of sin. Jesus Christ is written of as one who is superior to angels, superior to Moses, and superior to Aaron, who was the first High Priest and one in whom all high priests would follow (i.e. in the lineage of Aaron). As such He was without sin and was able to make the perfect sacrifice because of His sinlessness. His sacrifice was Himself, and He died once for all and serves as man’s high priest now and forever. This priesthood is unlike the high priesthood that Aaron held -- it is much higher, and this high position is why Jesus is superior to the Aaronic high priesthood.

The Old Testament is the basis for priests and priestly functions. The sons of Levi, who was the son of Jacob, were to be the priests in the land of Israel, and to serve the Lord continually offering sacrifices on behalf of the people of the land. The high priest was also from the line of Levi, but more specifically, he was also a direct descendant of Aaron, Moses’ brother. The man who held this office was also one who offered atonement for the sins of the people and for himself (Leviticus 4:3-21). In Leviticus 16 he was also the one who made the once per year atoning sacrifice on the Day of Atonement. In addition, he communicated with the Lord through the Urim and Thummim, in regard to important matters affecting the theocracy, and informing the people thereon as seen in Numbers 27:21 and 1 Samuel 30:7-8. The high priest supervised all the other priests as well as all organized worship. There was no priestly function that he could not exercise.

The high priest was not only a religious leader of the people, he was also the governor of the land as long as the land was not under foreign dominion as Israel so often was. He held the highest post next to the king if there was one and had absolute authority with regard to all religious and political affairs.

On the Day of Atonement the high priest who officiated would first take a ceremonial bath in order to sanctify himself. He would then put on white garments (Leviticus 16:4). In order to make atonement for himself and the other priests he would sacrifice a bullock (Numbers 29:8). Following this he would choose a goat for a sin offering and sacrifice it, sprinkling its blood on and about the mercy seat (Lev. 16:12,14,15). Finally the scapegoat bearing the sins of the people was sent into the wilderness (Lev. 16:20-22). This scapegoat symbolized the pardon for sin brought through the sacrifice (Galatians 3:12; 2 Cor. 5:21).

On the tenth day of the seventh month a day of public fasting and humiliation was set aside. This was the day that Israel sought atonement for its sins (Leviticus 23:27; 16:29; Numbers 29:7). The Day of Atonement was a day in which the Israelites made their annual trip to Jerusalem to offer their yearly sacrifice which would atone for all the sins their prior sacrifices might have missed. Though making other sacrifices throughout the year, the faithful Israelite would come to Jerusalem to offer atonement for any sins he/she had not atoned for. It was man’s recognition of his inability to make any atonement for his sins, and it was a solemn, holy day accompanied by elaborate ritual (Leviticus 16; Hebrews 10:1-10).

In the Book of Hebrews Jesus is the High Priest -- a high priest whose throne can be approached with confidence (4:16). He is deemed to be so in the order of the former priest of Salem -- Melchizadek (7:1). Since Jesus was in the lineage of Judah and not Levi he could not be a priest, much less a high priest. However, he was a priest -- just one of a different order, and He is a priest forever (5:6). He was subjected to every temptation known to man, and He overcame. Now he is able to sympthize with those who experience the same temptations. Because Jesus lives forever His priesthood is permanent, unlike all the high priests before him who had died. He lives forever and is able to save completely those who come to God through him because He always lives to intercede for them. As the permanent high priest He meets the needs of the people, and he does not need to offer sacrifices for himself or the people because he offered himself as a sacrifice once for all (7:27). The ministry Jesus has as high priest is superior to that of the old high priest because he is the perfect sacrifice, and his sacrifice was made once and for all.

If therefore, Jesus’ high priesthood is superior and sacrifices need not be made any longer, then the Day of Atonement, according to the Book of Hebrews, ceases to exist. It no longer has any value or use because the sacrifice has already been made, and it no more needs to be made over and over again any more than Christ needs to die over and over again for the sins of mankind.

In conclusion the Day of Atonement, which at one time atoned for all the previous year’s sin for the people of Israel, is no longer in effect. Christ did away with the old order of things by offering himself as the perfect sacrifice for all of mankind. He is a high priest, and he lives to make intercession for man continually. The Book of Hebrews makes this very clear. Through him man has access to the Father. He is not a high priest like Aaron, who cannot sympathize with weakness, ignorance, and immaturity. Instead he is a high priest who was in all points tempted, yet without sin. Where at one time the Day of Atonement had great value and importance, the Book of Hebrews makes it clear that Christ’s atonement and his High Priesthood stand in the place of that ancient tradition.

MacArthur, J., 1983. Hebrews: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary. Moody

Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary

New International Version Bible

Pentecost, J.Dwight, 1992. A Faith That Endures. Thomas Nelson Publishers: Nashville,

Unger’s Bible Dictionary