Matthew 4:17

¹⁷ From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Let’s consider the ways of two other monotheistic religions of how they practice repentance. Today we will examine how the Jewish people practice repentance.

In Judaism, a man is cleansed of sin primarily through repentance, which involves acknowledging one’s wrongdoing, feeling remorse, and actively seeking to make amends; this process is most prominently practiced during the High Holy Days, especially Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), where intense prayer and fasting are central to the ritual of atonement. 

Since the destruction of the Second Temple, the practice of offering animal sacrifices as a means of atonement is no longer possible, so the focus is on personal repentance and prayer. 

The blood sacrifice began in the Garden of Eden.

Genesis 3:21

²¹ And the Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them.

And ended with the crucifixion of Lord Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 10:12

¹² but He (Christ emphasized), having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God,

You see God chose to deal with the people of Israel directly until He brought forth the law through Moses. The law ended with the advent of His Son Jesus Christ. Once for all with one sacrifice of sins for all time, Jesus Christ died for all.

Many times we come across items that are obsolete. So is the case of Judaism. The Jewish people are unable to offer temple sacrifices because the temple does not exist anymore. Leviticus the Old Testament book says this:

Leviticus 17:11

¹¹ For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.’

Without the shedding of blood there is no atonement for the soul. So, if there is no sacrifice then there is no atonement for their sins. They can repent all they want by self-reflection or by not committing the same sin(s). But the important ingredient or the catalyst is missing. THE BLOOD.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!