The word “atonement” which in Hebrew means “to cover” appears about forty-five times in the book of Leviticus. The most dramatic picture of atonement occurs in Leviticus 16 where Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) is described. The Day of Atonement was the high holy day of the year for the Hebrew because on that day God dealt with all the sins not covered during the year. Hebrews 10: 3 says that this day was a reminder of sins every year. While it [was] impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins (Heb. 10: 4) Jesus Christ made one sacrifice for sins forever (Heb. 10: 12). Jesus fulfilled (filled it full of meaning) this great Old Testament type.
The High Priest was to come alone into the Holy of Holies (16: 17). The Lord Jesus officiated our atoning work on Calvary alone. There He was even forsaken of His Father as He suffered alone for our salvation (Matt. 27: 46). The High Priest laid aside his usual, spectacular attire for a simple holy linen tunic, and linen undergarments (16: 4) to carry out the responsibilities of the Day of Atonement. Our Lord set aside the prerogatives of divine privilege in order to serve as our High Priest (Phil. 2: 5 – 8). The High Priest was to sanctify himself for this ministry (16: 4). Our Lord prayed in His High Priestly prayer I sanctify Myself for them, so they may be sanctified by the truth (Jhn. 17: 19).
The High Priest had to offer a sin offering for himself since he was, of course, a sinner (16: 6 – 8). Our Lord, as the perfect High Priest, did not need to sacrifice for Himself and was therefore able to provide the perfect sacrifice for us. Jesus is the kind of high priest we need: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He doesn’t need to offer sacrifices every day, as high priests do – first for their own sins, then for those of the people. He did this once for all when He offered Himself (Heb. 7: 26 – 27).
The High Priest was to sprinkle the blood of the sacrifice on the Mercy Seat (16: 14). Jesus Himself is our Mercy Seat (Rom. 3: 25; Heb. 9: 5; 1 Jhn. 2: 2). On Golgotha two millennia ago the ugliest scene in the history of humanity became the ultimate Holy of Holies as the Lord Jesus not only provided but became our final sacrifice for sin. Our word “atonement” was actually a hyphenated word in Old English. It was spelled “at-one-ment”. That’s precisely what our Lord did on the true Day of Atonement – He made us one forever with the Father!