How does the Day of Atonement relate to Jesus Christ?

The Day of Atonement, described in Leviticus 16, serves as a prophetic picture of the atoning work of Christ. On this day, the high priest would make sacrifices for both himself and the people. He would lay his hands on a scapegoat, confessing the iniquities of Israel, and send it away to signify the removal of their sins. This ritual anticipates how Christ, our true High Priest, would bear our sins on the cross, effectively removing them forever. As outlined in Hebrews, Christ's once-for-all sacrifice fulfills and surpasses the rituals of the Old Testament, making Him the ultimate source of atonement for His people.