The following narrative is taken from the book “Your People Shall Be My People”, by Don Finto.

Yom Kippur illustrates, like no other singular day in Israel's caendar, man's sinfulness and the need for pardon. Early on this "atonement day," Israel would come to the priests, confessing their sins; the priests would confess to the high priest. Through the confession of the people and the priests, the animal symbolically bore the sins of the nations and was killed in place of the people. The high priest then slaughtered the goat for the sin offering (see Lev. 16:15) and entered the holy of holies, "never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed" (Heb. 9:7).

This whole process of confessing sins was repeated with a second goat. The high priest was to "lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites--all their sins--and put them on the goat's head" (Lev. 16:21), at which point the goat was released into the desert.

Interesting! An animal had just been sacrificed for the sins of the people, and yet now the one bearing the "sins" was sent into the wilderness. How could this be? The writer of Hebrews knew the truth behind symbolism. He called these offerings "an annual reminder of sins" and assures us that "it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins" (Heb. 10:3,4).

Thousands of animals were slaughtered each year, each one a prophecy of the Lamb that was to come. Only He--this one Man, this sinless Man--could carry the human burden and take upon Himself the sins of all Adam's family, freeing all who would accept His payment (see Isa. 53:5,10). This Man was Yesuha, Jesus the Christ, the Messiah.

In His last supper with His disciples at Passover, Jesus our Passover "Lamb"--(our "Attonement Goat," though this is a shocking thought!)--referred to the bread and wine as His own body and blood. "This is my body given for you. . . This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you" (Luke 22:19,20).

For centuries now, when believers observe the Supper of the Lord, holding in their hands the elements--simple bread and wine--scenes of that last supper with Jesus flash before their eyes. For the discerning heart, every loaf of bread, every bottle of wine becomes a visible reminder of the body of Yeshua, of His blood that has saved us.

Click here for photos from Yom Kippur 2007 in the Tent of Meeting.

Click here for Pastor Tim Alsbaugh's article on the Fall Feasts.