By: Dr. Jürgen Bühler, ICEJ President

Dear friends and prayer partners

Once a year, on one single day, the High Priest of Israel was permitted to enter the Holy of Holies. On this sacred day, he would enter with blood, make atonement for himself and for the people, and the sins of Israel would be dealt with before God. As Leviticus 16:30 says: “For on that day the priest shall make atonement for you, to cleanse you, that you may be clean from all your sins before the Lord.”

On the Day of Atonement – Yom Kippur – all of Israel pauses as the busyness of industry, shopping and school ceases for a while. Many dress in white, symbolising purity, forgiveness and reconciliation with God. It is a solemn time of fasting, prayer and deep reflection.

Yom Kippur reminds us that sin separates us from a holy God and that reconciliation requires atonement. God provided a way for Israel to draw near through the High Priest, who entered the Most Holy Place on behalf of the people. He did not come empty-handed, but with the blood of sacrifice. As Scripture tells us, “without shedding of blood there is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22). At the heart of Yom Kippur, therefore, stands both our need for forgiveness and God’s gracious provision of a way back into His presence.

This message carries particular weight for Israel today. The past years of war, loss and uncertainty have taken a heavy toll on many Israelis. Families have suffered, communities have carried deep wounds and the entire nation longs for better days. At this time of reflection and prayer, it is our prayer that Israel will experience the mercy, comfort and restoring grace of God.

For us as Christians, Yom Kippur also points to an even greater High Priest. Jesus did not merely make atonement for our sins; He Himself became the sacrifice and opened the way for us to come into the presence of God. What the High Priest of Israel did year after year, Jesus accomplished once for all.

The book of Hebrews encourages us:

“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathise with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14–16)

As Israel enters this most solemn day, let us pray that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will show His people great mercy in the year ahead. May He comfort those who mourn, restore what has been broken and lift the heavy burdens carried by so many. And may we all encounter anew the mercy and redeeming grace of Jesus.

Blessings from Jerusalem

Dr. Jürgen Bühler, ICEJ President