On the eve of Yom Kippur, the Great Day of Atonement, O.J. Simpson was acquitted of the charges for murder in what has been called the trial of the century. Whether or not you agreed with the verdict, the coinciding of the official Yom Kippur, the Hebrew commemoration of God's surprising transaction of justice that both punishes sin and releases the guilty (known as 'Atonement'), and the shocking conclusion to this trial, gave rise to the following meditation. It is taken from a message that I preached that same evening. (Some have requested a copy - so I am submitting a summary in two parts.) - David

Imagine after nine months of testimony where the dark secrets of your life are brought out into the light of public view, where photos giving evidence of your cruel treatment to others are globally displayed by omnipresent media. Recordings of your intimidations, threatening, manipulative and bullying behavior have been played before the jury. You're up for the big one, the charge of murder. The evidence has been given. Your duplicity has been exposed. The prosecution has painstakingly put forth the case. The jury is sent out for deliberation. Finally a verdict is reached and presented in the hall of justice. The envelope is opened. There is agonizing silence. You cannot swallow. You hardly dare to breathe. The judge calls upon you to rise and face the jury. Thoughts of all that you have ever done wrong fill your head like the waves of a great tempest that wants to pull you under. You are about to receive just punishment. Then the judge is ready to speak. In the deafening silence you hear the words, 'Not guilty.'

It is the Day of Atonement. The searchlight of God's spirit has been dredging the depths of your soul, dragging up the Adamic residue of your carnal thoughts and actions. Your only hope has been clearly stated by your defense attorney. You must go to the temple. There you must join with other worshipers in a day of humiliation, confession of sin, fasting and prayer. On this day you need to be represented before the courts of justice. You must take your stand in the hall of judgment. One priest has been appointed to represent you and the whole sinful nation. On this one day of the year he is to go into the presence of the Holiest of All on your behalf and appear before the One whose eyes are so pure that He cannot look upon sin (Habakkuk 1:13). If the priest is not accepted he will be instantly stricken with death. The bells of his priestly garments will cease to ring and his body will be dragged out with a long cord that trailed behind him as he passed through the veil that separated him from the middle court.

The Great High Priest dares not appear before the Justice of God without the blood of an innocent substitutionary sacrifice. Sin must be punished. The penalty which the guilty parties deserve is mysteriously transferred to the innocent. The legal evidence of this transaction is in the innocent blood of the sacrifice. The law and the testimony given makes obvious our guilt. Now all we can do is wait as the High Priest disappears behind the veil. Will the offering be accepted? Will the holiness of God spurn the priest with destruction, as it had done with Nadab and Abihu who offered strange fire? You hold your breath. Your heart pounds. Scenes of your failings flash before you. To your relief, you hear the joyful sound of bells ringing in the Holiest of All. Your priest and advocate lives! The offering has been accepted! Justice is satisfied. Mercy triumphs over all!

(Psalm 130:3-4 NIV) "If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.

David MacAdam, Pastor/Teacher
New Life Community Church