The Mercy Seat was the golden lid placed on top of the Ark of the Covenant, in the Holy of Holies, behind the veil where the presence of the Lord was at times made obvious. The High Priest would enter this place once a year and sprinkle blood on the Mercy Seat appeasing the wrath of God for that year. The mercy seat represented the throne of God’s judgment. The Lord enacted justice as He sat “enthroned between the cherubim” of the mercy seat. With God’s justice satisfied, there is hope for God’s grace. The mercy seat was a place of God’s justice and holiness. The Hebrew word, 'mercy seat' is translated into English as 'propitiatory.' Propitiation refers to the removal of wrath by the offering of a gift. Romans 3:25 reminds us that Jesus is the true propitiatory sacrifice, the new “mercy seat.” “God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when He held back and did not punish those who sinned….” When Jesus died on the Cross, He satisfied the justice of the holy God. The gift of His blood was shed for sinners so sinners could repent of their sins and be forgiven. Saved by the grace of God. God is merciful!
I deserve a life and eternity without God in hell. Yet, with Jesus my Mercy Seat in my life I shall never get what I deserve. Rather, heaven awaits my coming! Mercy I have received from God, mercy I shall extend to others.
Mercy, how is this word to be defined? Some words come to mind: pity; clemency; forgiveness; relief; forbearance. Mercy carries the idea that a person does not get what they deserve. There is a holding back of judgement, of punishment. I do not get what I deserve because God is satisfied with the holiness of Another on my behalf. That Another is Jesus Christ. “May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace.” (I Timothy 1:2). I deserve a life and eternity without God in hell. Yet, with Jesus my Mercy Seat in my life I shall never get what I deserve. Rather, heaven awaits my coming! Mercy I have received from God, mercy I shall extend to others.