In the sin and trespass offerings, sin is central, unlike the sweet-savor offerings where sin plays no role. These offerings are not a sweet savor to God, for He takes no satisfaction in sin, though He mercifully forgives based on the sacrifice of Christ, which they represent. Sin is abominable, hateful, and evil to Him, yet it is met and covered by Christ's sacrifice. Concerning the sin and trespass offerings, atonement signifies a covering, payment, or expiation for sin. The offerer is charged with sin, and a legal obligation to God, the Authority whose law has been broken, must be met. The wages of sin being death, nothing less than a life given in blood is suitable to expiate sin. Symbolically, in these offerings, the offerer transfers sin to the animal by laying hands on its head, and the animal's death portrays the penalty being paid, breaking the law's power over the sinner. This pictures Christ's vicarious death, as our sins are transferred to Him, atoning for and redeeming us. Though not sweet savors, the animals for sin offerings had to be without blemish, representing Christ's sinlessness. Any imperfection, whether visible or hidden, disqualified the animal, just as Christ, in His perfect life of 33½ years, bore no moral or spiritual flaw, qualifying Him as the fit sacrifice for our sins. His death paid for past sins and continues to cover future sins, though we are urged to strive against sinning, showing appreciation for His grace. The sacrificial laws, as shadows of Christ's reality, could not make anyone perfect, for no animal's blood could equal the value of a human life. God paid the ultimate price with Christ's life, a payment sufficient for all mankind's sins for all time. Christ, as the sin offering, took our sins upon Himself, becoming sin for us, and was judged, rejected, and slain, satisfying justice. Through Him, we are judged and freed from the penalty of sin, no longer under a death sentence, as He was cast out of God's presence in our stead. The ritual of the sin offering, where the bull's remains were burned outside the camp, mirrors Christ suffering outside the gate to sanctify us with His blood. God's law remains unyielding, even for His Son, underscoring the gravity of sin and the immense value of Christ's sacrifice, which grants us access to Him for forgiveness and strength.

On the Day of Atonement, we are made most aware that we are cleansed of all defilement. Holiness, the opposite of being adulterated, corrupted, or defiled, represents purity and quality in every area of life, setting one apart as acceptable in God's presence. Foolishness is as defiling as more obvious sin, and those defiled by sin are not acceptable before Him. The underlying instruction in Scripture concerning clean and unclean is to keep free from spiritual defilement and, if defiled, to cleanse oneself to regain acceptance. The symbolism of the Day of Atonement, combined with the understanding of clean and unclean laws and sin offerings, emphasizes the importance of being clean in body, mind, conduct, and attitudes. Obedience to these laws was rigorous and ultimately impossible, mirroring the pervasive nature of spiritual defilement from sin, which touches everything and everyone. It is our responsibility to exercise discipline and self-control to prevent defilement from becoming part of us. The solution begins with cleansing through the blood of the Lamb. His vicarious sacrifice enables us to be acceptable in God's presence and allows His purpose to continue. Sin offerings, whether for individuals or the whole congregation, address acts of foolishness, as it is always foolish to sin. Most of our foolishness falls under sins of ignorance—sins of immaturity or weakness—and God, in His merciful grace, shows willingness to forgive and cleanse us through the blood of Jesus Christ upon true repentance. On the Day of Atonement, the cleansing extends beyond the sinner. It encompasses the complete expiation of every aspect of every sin committed by every Israelite during the year. The emphasis on cleansing, with every element involved in worship—priest, people, mercy seat, altar, holy place, and tabernacle—being touched by the blood, portrays the leavening effect of sin. Our sins and foolishness impact the whole body of Christ, affecting others within the fellowship. The effective power of the blood of Jesus Christ, as the propitiation and atoning sacrifice, completely covers the debt of our foolishness, satisfying the payment for sin. Every sin is a gamble, and though we know intellectually that the house never loses, we often foolishly think we can escape the consequences. This day reminds us that our debt, accrued by being foolish, is paid. We must cleanse ourselves through repentance and the blood of Jesus Christ, striving with all our being to remain in that cleansed state.

The concept of cleansing from sin is integral to understanding what it means to be a Christian in God's sight. A Christian is one in whom the Holy Spirit dwells, and as long as this Spirit remains active within, the individual remains on the path to eternal life. However, the presence of human nature creates a constant struggle, and even a converted Christian may stumble and commit sin due to the pull of the flesh. When such an incident occurs, if the Christian truly repents and confesses the sin, Jesus Christ, as High Priest, is faithful to forgive and cleanse from all unrighteousness. This cleansing is an ongoing process, not a one-time event, ensuring that the blood of Jesus Christ continues to purify those who walk in the light of God's commandments. Sin, even when committed knowingly in a moment of weakness, does not necessarily condemn a Christian if the overall attitude and intention remain aligned with God's way. Repentance and a desire to continue on God's path allow for forgiveness, as God does not hold such stumbles against those who are led by His Spirit. The key is maintaining a submissive attitude toward God, ensuring that the Holy Spirit continues to dwell within. If a Christian confesses and repents of sins committed after conversion, He is faithful and just to forgive and to cleanse from unrighteousness, restoring the individual to a state of walking with Him. The danger lies in willful sin or a complete turning away from God's way. If a Christian deliberately changes their life's goal, rejecting God's righteousness and choosing a path of rebellion, they risk losing the presence of the Holy Spirit. Such a state, born of continued neglect or a fixed decision to abandon God's way, may lead to a condition where repentance no longer occurs, and forgiveness cannot be sought. However, for those who stumble yet maintain their desire to walk with God, the promise of cleansing remains, as they are not condemned but are encouraged to rise again through repentance and reliance on His mercy.

Christians often struggle with past sins, even those already forgiven, by obsessing over them, much like a child fixates on a healing wound, prolonging the recovery and risking further harm. This fixation can lead to spiritual depression and misery, as they harp on specific actions or words, unable to let go, and condemn themselves repeatedly. Satan exploits this vulnerability, aiming to rob them of joy, though he cannot steal their salvation. He seeks to make them miserable, using guilt to distort their perception of Christianity. The root of this spiritual struggle often lies in a failure to fully grasp the promises of salvation. If a Christian dwells on past sins, even after forgiveness, it becomes an obsession, hindering their ability to overcome and move forward. God has forgiven those who genuinely repent, and continuing to agonize over these sins is like reopening a healing wound, disrupting duties and spiritual growth. Salvation in Scripture is often depicted as health and wholeness, with Jesus portrayed as a physician whose ministry brings both physical and spiritual transformation. To receive the joy of salvation, one must cease dwelling on the negative of past sins and instead focus on working out their salvation with God's help. The apostle Paul, in 1 Timothy 1, presents himself as a model for those who feel their sins exceed God's grace. He asserts that his own grave past as a blasphemer and persecutor proves that no sin is beyond forgiveness. If He could forgive Paul, then all who repent can trust in His mercy. The focus should not be on the sin itself, but on the relationship with God. Joseph and David exemplify this, prioritizing their connection with Him over the wrongs done to others, understanding that sin primarily separates them from Him. Jesus' sacrifice covers all sins without distinction, as announced by the angel to Joseph and affirmed by Peter. At Passover, the bread and wine remind us of His completed work, leaving nothing undone. Paul, reflecting on his past, did not wallow in despair but praised God for His abundant grace, mercy, and love. Christians should similarly rejoice in His extraordinary forgiveness, which cleanses and makes them His children, rather than succumbing to Satan's influence by lingering in depression over forgiven sins.

The Day of Atonement emphasizes humanity's universal sinfulness, necessitating a divine solution. All humans from infants to seniors are incapable of redeeming themselves through charitable deeds or sacrifices. No human or animal offering has the capability to atone for sin. For this reason, the Creator God, Jesus Christ, became human, living sinlessly, offering Himself as the perfect, unblemished sacrifice, paying for the sins of all humanity, fulfilling the role of the ultimate sin offering. As the most solemn of the biblical feasts, this event points to the High Priest and atoning sacrifice. Leviticus 16 describes a two-goat ritual: one goat represents the payment for sin, while the second goat carries sins away, symbolizing sins total removal. Isaiah 53, as well as passages from the New Testament in Romans, Hebrews, Matthew, John, and I Peter all substantiate Christ's dual role in shedding His blood and bearing away sins, thereby reconciling humanity to God. This sacrifice grants access to Almighty God, enabling believers to pursue spiritual maturity under the guidance of Jesus Christ. Accepting Christ's sacrifice is only the beginning. Our Savior commands believers to strive for spiritual perfection, aligning themselves with God's will, yielding to Him as their Shepherd and High Priest.