The Day Of Atonement - Sermon By: Deacon Muchiri

Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement occurs between Rosh Hashanah (the Day of Trumpets) and Sukkoth (Feast Of Tabernacles). Regarding this day, God commanded Israel to completely abstain from work and to afflict themselves (Lev 23:26-32). It is a Shabbat Shabbaton (A Double Sabbath). It is regarded to be the holiest day in the Hebrew Calendar, even holier than the weekly Sabbath. Thus, it is celebrated for 25 hours from the evening of 9th Ethanim to the evening of 10th Ethanim. Since its inception, Jews have afflicted themselves by fasting on this day together with repenting of their sins for the purpose of atonement. The New Testament in Acts 27:9 records that the Apostle Paul observed the feast even when he was on a journey to Rome for his trial. We too therefore follow the example of the apostle of the Gentiles, Paul, as he also followed Messiah. (1 Cor. 11:1) May our prayers and supplications merit before Heaven in anticipation of Yom Kippur