Daily Devotions
Mercy Seat
Reading for February 15: Numbers 19-21
Weekly reading for February 11-17: Romans 1-5
Title: Mercy Seat
God publicly displayed him at his death as the mercy seat accessible through faith.
Romans 3:25 (Net Bible)
Translators are divided on how to translate the Greek word jilasthrion. It is translated "propitiation" (NASV, NKJV, ESV) or "sacrifice of atonement" (NIV). The New Living Testament gives a semi-explanation to the word saying, "punishment... to satisfy God's anger against us." But the best translation of all may be the Net Bible which simply renders it "mercy seat."
The footnote in the Net Bible (net.bible.org) for Romans 3:25 says this about this Greek word:
The word ἱλαστήριον (Jilasthrion) may carry the general sense "place of satisfaction," referring to the place where God's wrath toward sin is satisfied. More likely, though, it refers specifically to the "mercy seat," i.e., the covering of the ark where the blood was sprinkled in the OT ritual on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). This term is used only one other time in the NT: Heb 9:5, where it is rendered "mercy seat." There it describes the altar in the most holy place (holy of holies). Thus Paul is saying that God displayed Jesus as the "mercy seat," the place where propitiation was accomplished.
Jesus fulfilled the Day of Atonement. He is not only our High Priest making intercession, but he is the veil through which we have passed to enter into God's presence (Hebrews 9:24; 10:20). He is the sacrifice of atonement (Hebrews 9:28), and he is the mercy seat itself sheltering us from the wrath of God (Romans 5:9).
How can we thank you, O God, for saving us from your own wrath through the death of your beloved Son?
