Jesus is Our Atonement

Message Title: Jesus Is Our Atonement

Most of us know what it feels like to carry regret or wonder whether we have done enough to make things right. The Bible’s teaching about atonement shows us that God does not ask us to repair the separation on our own. He provided a way for us to be forgiven, restored, and brought close to Him through Jesus.

God is perfectly holy, while every person has been affected by sin. That separation cannot be overcome by becoming more religious, behaving better, or comparing ourselves with other people. In Leviticus 16, even Aaron, Israel’s high priest, had to wash, wear simple linen clothing, and present a sacrifice for his own sin before entering the Holy of Holies. His careful preparation demonstrated that no one casually enters the presence of a holy God on personal merit. The good news is that Jesus fulfilled what those rituals represented. Because He was completely without sin, He did not need to make a sacrifice for Himself. Instead, He offered Himself for us. We approach God humbly—not presenting our accomplishments, but trusting what Jesus has already accomplished on our behalf.

Atonement describes the way people who have been separated from God can be reconciled to Him. One helpful way to remember it is to think of being made “at one” with God again. Humanity was created to know and enjoy God, but sin damaged that relationship. We cannot repair the separation through our own effort. God therefore provided Jesus as the sacrifice for our sin. 1 John 2:2 describes Jesus as “the atoning sacrifice for our sins,” extending that invitation to the whole world. Atonement does not mean that we become God. It means that the Creator and His creation can have a restored relationship because Jesus paid for the sin separating them. Through faith in Christ, forgiveness is received, the separation is overcome, and we are welcomed into a relationship with God.

Leviticus 16 describes two goats that illustrated two important parts of God’s forgiveness. The first goat was sacrificed as a sin offering, showing that sin carries a cost and that forgiveness requires a sacrifice. The second goat had the people’s sins symbolically placed upon it before it was sent far into the wilderness. This became known as the scapegoat. Together, the goats showed that God both forgives sin and removes it. Jesus ultimately fulfilled both pictures. He shed His blood on the cross to pay the price of sin, and He carried our guilt away. Psalm 103:12 says God removes our sins as far as the east is from the west. In Jesus, we are not merely told that our mistakes no longer count against us; we are cleansed, freed from condemnation, and made new.

No. Atonement is received, not achieved. Aaron entered the Holy of Holies wearing linen rather than elaborate clothing. Linen was light and breathable, preventing the sweat that could symbolize human labor. The picture was clear: Aaron did not enter God’s presence displaying what he had accomplished. He entered humbly, depending upon the sacrifice God had provided. The same is true for us. Church attendance, generosity, morality, and religious activity cannot purchase forgiveness. Hebrews 9:12 says Jesus “entered the most holy place once for all time,” obtaining eternal redemption through His own blood. He has already completed the work required to reconcile us to God. We do not bargain with God or prove ourselves worthy. We acknowledge our need, turn from our sin, and place our trust in Jesus and His finished work.

Yes. Jesus’ sacrifice is sufficient to forgive every sin entrusted to Him. The Day of Atonement occurred annually because the sacrifices offered by Israel’s high priest could only temporarily cover the people’s sin. Jesus offered something far greater. Hebrews 9:14 teaches that Christ offered Himself without blemish to cleanse us completely. His sacrifice does not need to be repeated, and no failure is greater than His power to save. Forgiveness does not pretend that sin is harmless or erase every earthly consequence, but it does mean that your guilt no longer separates you from God. When you confess your need and trust Jesus, He pays the debt you could never repay. You do not have to remain defined by your worst decision. In Christ, you can be forgiven, restored, and given a genuinely new beginning.

Yes. Under the Old Testament system, only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies, and he could do so only once each year. When Jesus died, the curtain separating that sacred place was torn from top to bottom. His sacrifice opened the way for everyone who trusts Him to approach God. Jesus is now our perfect High Priest, so we do not need another person to earn access for us. 1 Peter 2:9 calls believers a “royal priesthood,” while Hebrews describes Jesus entering God’s presence once for all. Through Him, you can pray directly to God, hear from Him through Scripture, and live with the Holy Spirit dwelling within you. Christianity is not merely following religious traditions from a distance. It is receiving the invitation to know God personally because Jesus has brought you near.

You receive it by humbly placing your faith in Jesus rather than relying on your own goodness. The central message of Leviticus 16 points toward one man, one day, and one way: Jesus, the cross, and His sacrifice for sin. Admit that your sin has separated you from God, believe that Jesus died and rose again for you, and ask Him to forgive you and become your Savior. This is what Jesus described as being born again—a new spiritual life beginning within you. From there, continue growing through Scripture, prayer, worship, and community with other believers. Salvation is not a reward for reaching spiritual maturity. It is the beginning of that journey. Jesus has already made atonement possible. Your response is to receive His grace and entrust your life to Him.

“But Christ has appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come. In the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands—that is, not of this creation—he entered the most holy place once for all time, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.” Hebrews 9:11–12

What this means: Jesus did what no human priest or repeated sacrifice could accomplish. He gave His own life once for all, securing lasting forgiveness and opening the way for us to know God.

Pastor Gregg Matte serves as the Senior Pastor of Houston's First Baptist Church. He's known for teaching the Bible in a practical, approachable way that connects timeless truth with everyday life. Whether someone has been following Jesus for decades or is simply curious about faith, Pastor Gregg's goal is to help people discover who God is and what that means for their daily lives.

Whether you've been away from church for years, you're exploring faith for the first time, or you're simply looking for a place to ask honest questions, we'd love to welcome you. At Houston's First, you'll find biblical teaching, authentic community, and people who are committed to helping one another follow Jesus.