Today is the day that Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement – is celebrated by the Jewish people. It began before sundown on Tuesday, October 8, and ends after nightfall on Wednesday, October 9. In the Old Testament, it was on the Day of Atonement that the High Priest would cast lots on two goats – one would be sacrificed for the sins of the Jewish nation, the other set free in the wilderness.

"And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat. And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD'S lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering. But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness." - Leviticus 16:7-10

Each year, the sins of Israel would be pushed forward one more year. This ritual ended when the Temple was destroyed in 70 AD.

In the New Testament, the book of Hebrews speaks of the Day of Atonement and Christ.

"But into the second [the Holy of Holies] went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people [sins committed in ignorance]: the Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest [freely open], while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:" - Hebrews 9:7-8 KJV

"But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building [He has entered that greater, more perfect Tabernacle in heaven, which was not made by human hands and is not part of this created world]; neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place [once for all time], having obtained eternal redemption for us." - Hebrews 9:11-12 KJV

"So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation [He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him]." - Hebrews 9:28 KJV

While the Old Covenant never removed sins, but pushed them forward another year, we now find in Jesus a complete removal of our sins.

How do we apply His blood and remove (remit) the sin in our life?

We find this by obeying the gospel as preached by Peter on the Day of Pentecost.

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38

"For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:39