Remission, Forgiveness, Atonement
Submitted by Elder John Mabry
The arrest and trial of Jesus is one of the tragedies of the human race, and especially of God’s chosen people. These covenant people were familiar with the Abrahamic Covenant that had established them as a nation. 
They knew the significance of the blood covenant. The tragedy is that Jehovah, the blood covenant friend of Abraham, came to earth, conceived in the womb of the virgin Mary, born in a manger, welcomed by an angelic choir, grew up among his own people, yet remained a stranger to them. This is the tragedy of the ages.
The one who had made a covenant with Abraham, who cared for the children of Israel, like a nursing mother cares for her child, was on trial before the very High Priesthood that He established.
He was not only Mary’s son, but God, Jehovah Himself – the Savior. When we come to Him as sinners and take Jesus as Savior, confess Him as our Lord, then every sin that we have ever committed is forgiven. The remission of our sins takes the place of the goat under the Old Covenant. “In whom we have our redemption through His blood, the remission of our trespasses.” (Ephesians 1:7) The Old Covenant was established to bare the sins of the children of Israel, while the blood covered Israel as a nation.
Under the first covenant, known as the Mosaic Law, Israel had a law, the priesthood, sacrifices, and ordinances. When the law was broken (as it had to be because Israel was spiritually dead), the priesthood was ordered to make an atonement, or a covering, for them.
Through the mighty mystery of God’s will, Jesus’ death and resurrection is the greatest drama of divine love and grace. He met the demands of justice; He met the needs of man in redemption, and is now seated at the right hand of the Majesty on High – our High Priest, the Lord advocate of the new creation. He is the attorney general for the family of God. “My little children, these things write I unto you that ye may not sin. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (1 John 2:1)
God’s forgiveness is an expression of His divine love. The moment we sin and confess our sin, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)