Just as Christmas and Easter are the most popular Christian holidays, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the most celebrated Jewish holidays.

As followers of Christ, we aren’t called to walk in guilt.  Christ entered the Most Holy Place on our behalf and washed us clean from our sins.  Hebrews 9:14 reminds us, if that animal blood and the other rituals of purification were effective in cleaning up certain matters of our religion and behavior, think how much more the blood of Christ cleans up our whole lives, inside and out.

However, we can honor Yom Kippur by celebrating the incredible sacrifice and radical forgiveness Jesus displayed on the cross.

Here are 3 ways to celebrate Yom Kippur as a follower of Christ:

1.   Don’t wait another day to extend radical forgiveness.

Yom Kippur and the Days of Awe center around forgiveness and establishing right relationships with one another.  Matthew 6:14-15 reminds us, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”   When you don’t have the grace or strength to forgive, ask God to supply both of those in greater measure.  Try this today and experience the joy and wonder that comes with forgiveness.

2.   Consider fasting for a meal or an entire day.

During your time of fasting, spend time in prayer and reflect on the truth that everything we have comes from God.  End your fast by reading Psalm 107:8-9:  “Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.”

3.   Gather your family and friends for a Tashlikh Ceremony.

During a Tashlikh Ceremony, people of the synagogue go down to a local stream or river, and empty their pockets of crumbs, symbolizing their sins being washed away.  Read Hebrews 10:1-25  together as you celebrate Christ as the once-and-for-all sacrifice for your sins.

~ Mary Lindow ^©

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” THE MESSENGER ” ~ Mary Lindow
www.marylindow.com
Global Prayer Rooms

Mary Lindow has a passion for encouraging others in all generations and careers or vocations to live and express excellence through personal integrity, healthy accountability, and wise management of talents and skills. She is a sought after keynote inspirational and humorous speaker and teacher throughout the United States internationally in Ministers conferences, International Spiritual leaders Conferences, and in National and International training seminars for various organizations.