The Jewish holiday Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is still celebrated today. In the Old Testament it was reserved as a day reserved for the high priest to act and speak on behalf of the entire people of Israel. After 10 days of fasting and praying, the nation of Israel would gather together in a holy moment, when the sins of the people would be laid upon the scapegoat. The goat would be taken out to the wilderness, never to be seen again, symbolic of the sins of the people being taken away – never again to be remembered.
The Christian tradition is similar. When we ask for forgiveness, we're go boldly to God "so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (Hebrews 4:16) We confess openly and honestly, because, if we do, " he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9) We must remember that God loves us. He showed us by sending "his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him." (1 John 4:9) In short, Jesus became our scapegoat. God "sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." (1 John 4:10)
There's a little Christian and Jewish history for you. But I'd challenge us take one big principle from the Day of Atonement! When the goat is gone, let it be gone. Our sins have been paid for and forgiven-once and for all-by the perfect sacrifice of Jesus. Our pasts need not haunt us, because they're forgiven. Don't live in the wallow of self-doubt and self-hatred. There's no greater idolatry. God has redeemed our lives, and as Rob Bell has so eloquently put, "the goat has left the building!"
So may you know that your sin is forgiven and that there are no yesterdays. May you see that God forgives completely, and it's time to forgive yourself. Remember, the goat is gone, the price is paid, and you are loved by the Redeemer!
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