Today begins Yom Kippur at sundown, it is the day of at-one-ment (atonement). When I think of God and His love for me, I stand amazed in His presence. That God should love a sinner such as me, His love truly knows no bounds. I was just reading in Genesis where God commanded light, He spoke and there it was. He commanded and it came forth, but God formed man and woman. Why did God form us? He formed us in His image to be His children to live in His Kingdom to Worship the King.
The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell, it goes beyond the highest star and reaches to the lowest hell. It is the goodness of God that draws men to repentance. We cannot even approach God without His drawing. The Good Shepherd takes His staff and draws His sheep to Him. There He cleans us and washes us whiter than snow, He feeds us, He puts the oil of blessing upon us, He anoints my head with oil and my cup runneth over. Our God is an awesome God. Words are often insufficient to express what HE does for us. The Shepherd does everything for the sheep. What does the sheep do for the shepherd? The sheep are purchased. Sheep offer value to the shepherd when they are sheared (naked) before Him. Sheep are of value to Him when they die. I guess the shepherd likes gyros (not really). It is hard to say in natural terms what value the sheep have to the shepherd. They follow Him, they follow His voice and obey His commands.
The day of atonement is a day of remembrance. We remember what the great shepherd did for the sheep. He was the "lamb of God" that took away all of our sins. Who could be perfect, without blemish, without fault, and Holy unto the Lord. No one in all of mankind could wipe away the "sin debt" caused by Adam and Eve. The sacrifice had to be perfect, nothing else would do. The law was not enough to make men anew, because it kept the focus on the problem and not the solution. Only the "lamb caught in the thicket" was sufficient to take Isaac's place. Yom Kippur is a day of remembrance, today we remember Ha'Messhiach (Jesus - The Christ, or Messiah). No work was to be done on Holy Days, I guess that is the difference between a Holy Day and a Holiday. On a Holy Day, there is a focus and a purpose.
The Love of God brought to us the atoning sacrifice of the Lamb of God. The perfect One died for you and for me. Agape (love) is the best love, the love that does not require a gift back. Agape love is a love that keeps on giving. Thank You Jesus for Your Holy Love. Thank You Yeshua for your atoning work on Calvary. Baruch haba B'Shem Adonai!
