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For we are brought to an end by your anger; by your wrath we are dismayed. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.¹

Technical terminologies help provide precise meaning. Every profession, organization, or group has it. Take theological jargon. When the blood of Christ is mentioned, it refers to Christ’s death. The Bible offers a number of perspectives to help us understand its significance—in terms of personal relationship, the marketplace, the court of law, and the temple. In each case, the idea is that of substitution. Christ is shown as a mediator between God and man who solves the problem of sin.

For this blog, let us consider the perspective from the temple setting. The word atonement refers to a sacrifice dealing with sin, which has 2 effects: One, propitiation—to be covered over.² It is directed toward the problem of God’s just wrath against both the sinner and the sin; e.g., the Flood³ or Sodom and Gomorrah.⁴  Two, expiation—removal of our sin.⁵ For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.⁶ Both effects are symbolized by the sprinkling of blood before God on the altar.

God’s wrath is righteous, good, and holy. The consequences of his wrath is right and necessary. Thus, we need a savior to save us from God. To propitiate God’s wrath Christ had to die for us.  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.⁷ Thus, we are spared from God’s wrath; it is turned aside from us, or propitiated, by the blood of Christ. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.⁸

One of the rituals in the Old Testament is that of the Day of Atonement. There were 2 goats, one for the LORD as a sin offering; and the other, an escape goat shall be presented alive before the LORD to make atonement over it, that it may be sent away into the wilderness.⁹ If Christ has died for you, he has cleansed you with his blood! Your sin is taken away. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.¹⁰

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” With joy you will draw water from the well of salvation. And you will say in that day: “Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted.¹¹