SUMMARY
Jesus crucified fulfills once and for all God’s instructions to Israel concerning an atoning sacrifice for sin.
ANALYSIS
In the Old Testament, God prescribes various laws concerning sacrificeSacrifice is commonly understood as the practice of offering or giving up something as a sign of worship, commitment, or obedience. In the Old Testament grain, wine, or animals are used as sacrifice. In some New Testament writings Jesus' death on the cross as the... More. Among them are laws for the Day of Atonement. Moses is instructed to build a “mercy seat” as a covering over the ark of the covenant containing the Ten Commandments (Exodus 25:17-22). On the Day of AtonementA Day of Atonement is a ritual occasion of prayer and confession during which a community recalls its disobedience and wrongdoing. Among Christians such an occasion is known as a Day of Penitence. Among Jews Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement; its origins in... More the high priest is to make atonement for the people of Israel, using a prescribed sacrificial rite within the holy of holies of the tabernacle or (later) the temple (Leviticus 16:11-17). In Greek, the term for the “mercyMercy is a term used to describe leniency or compassion. God's mercy is frequently referred to or invoked in both the Old and New Testaments. More seat” is hilastērion, and that is precisely the term that Paul uses at Romans 3:25 (translated in the NRSV as “a sacrifice of atonement”) concerning the crucified Christ. Consequently, the crucifixion of Jesus is portrayed as fulfilling the commandments concerning the Day of Atonement. By means of the crucifixion of Jesus, God has provided the “mercy seat” once and for all, and opened it to all. One can trust (have faith) that atonement has been made.
