The Covering

Guilt brought with it naked shame that stripped away all dignity. They stood before their creator with no excuse. Exile then death were the penalties for their choice but His choice was to provide a covering. However, for their sin to be covered there was a price that had to be paid. The blood of the innocent was shed to cover the shame of the guilty.  Love covers a multitude of sins but not without a price.

The Mercy-Seat was the covering of the ark of the covenant. The Hebrew word used for the Mercy-Seat means a cover,  but contains an allusion to the covering or forgiving of sins. Once a year the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies on the day of Atonement and sprinkle the Mercy-Seat with the blood of a sacrifice to cover the guilty to make atonement for sin. Once a year the high priest would come into the Holy of Holies seeking a calm and sure retreat from the shame and guilt of sin before the Mercy-Seat.

It was at the cross where mercy and faithfulness met together; it was at the cross where righteousness and peace kissed each other. When Jesus cried, "It is finished! " he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. The drops of blood that fell from his thorn pierced brow sprinkled the ground beneath the cross. Jesus our high priest sprinkled his own blood on Heaven's Mercy-Seat.

There are times the acussor comes to remind us of our guilt and shame. He comes to call attention to our failure but we have an invitation to come boldly to the throne of grace so that we can find grace and mercy to help us in our time of need. At the throne of God's mercy Satan is silenced. The blood of Jesus has covered us.

Lord Jesus, at the Mercy-Seat You gave, joy to the desolate, light to the straying, hope to the penitent. Because of Your mercy earth has no sorrows Heaven cannot heal my sin is covered and I have access to your throne.