Christ stood in our stead, in a certain sense, in propitiation. On the great day of atonement Aaron slew the bullock and the goat, which was called the Lord’s lot, and sprinkled the blood on and before the mercy-seat and on the altar. The blood was presented to God, whose holy presence had been dishonored and offended by sin. So Christ has perfectly glorified God in the place of sin, by His perfect obedience and love to His Father in His being made sin who knew no sin. God’s majesty, righteousness, love, truth — all that He is — was glorified in the work wrought by Christ, and of this the blood was witness in the holy place itself. Our sins gave occasion to it, but God Himself was glorified in it. Hence the testimony can go out to all the world that God is more than satisfied, glorified; whoever comes by that blood is freely and fully received of God and to God. But there was no confession of sins on the head of this goat; it was about sin by reason of Israel’s sinfulness, but it was simply blood offered to God. Sin had been dealt with in judgment according to God’s glory, yea, to the full glorifying of God, for never was His majesty, love and hatred of sin so seen. God could shine out in favor to the returning sinner according to what He was; yea, in the infiniteness of His love beseech men to return.
Also, on the great day of atonement, the high priest confessed the people’s sins on the second goat, the scapegoat, laying both his hands on its head: The personal sins were transferred to the goat by one who represented all the people, and they were gone forever, never found again.
The two goats are but one Christ, but there is the double aspect of His sacrifice, first Godward (propitiation), and then bearing our sins (substitution). The blood is the witness of the accomplishment of all, and He is entered in not without blood. He is the propitiation for our sins. But in this aspect the world comes in too. He is a propitiation for the whole world. All has been done that is needed. His blood is available for the vilest, whoever he may be. Hence the gospel to the world says, “Whosoever will, let him come.” In this aspect we may say Christ died for all, gave Himself a ransom for all, an adequate and available sacrifice for sin, for whoever would come — tasted death for every man.
J. N. Darby, adapted