As Yom Kippur approaches, Israel enters the most solemn day of the biblical calendar. From midday on September 20th through sundown the 21st, businesses close, the roads become quiet, and most normal activity stops.
For those of us in TJCII, Yom Kippur speaks directly to our calling. We are called to work for reconciliation between the Jewish and Gentile parts of the Body of Messiah. But reconciliation also requires repentance. Before healing can take place, we need to be willing to humble ourselves before G-d and ask Him to show us what still needs to be made right.
The Torah says:
“However, the tenth day of this seventh month is Yom Kippur, a holy convocation to you, so you are to afflict yourselves.”
— Leviticus 23:27 TLV
Yom Kippur is personal, but it is also corporate. In the traditional prayers, we do not simply say, “I have sinned.” Again and again, we confess, “We have sinned.”
We come before G-d not only as individuals, but as part of a people. We recognize that our actions affect others and that there are times when repentance must also be corporate.
This is important when we consider the history between the Jewish people and the Church.
For centuries, Jewish people experienced rejection, persecution, forced conversion, and even death through actions carried out in the name of Christianity. The continuing covenant calling of Israel was often denied, and the Jewish identity of Yeshua and His first disciples; became less visible within much of the Church.
The effects of this history are still with us today.
Yom Kippur also reminds us not to focus only on the sins of previous generations or the failures of others.
We also need to ask:
Adonai, what are You asking of me?
Where have I resisted Your correction?
Where have I failed to honor my brother or sister?
We cannot call others to humility while refusing to let the Holy Spirit deal with our own hearts. We cannot ask the Body of Messiah to face the wounds between Jew and Gentile without also asking G-d to show us what remains unresolved in us.
Repentance must begin with us.
For those of us who know Yeshua, Yom Kippur also points us to Him as our great High Priest Kohen Gadol. Because of His atoning sacrifice, we are able to come before G-d and receive forgiveness and cleansing.
As we enter Yom Kippur, may we allow the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) to show us what needs to be confessed, what attitudes need to change, and where we need to make things right.
And may we not only speak about reconciliation, but also live it out through repentance, humility, forgiveness, and honor.