The concept of the mercy seat is a profound and deeply significant element within the Old Testament, particularly within the context of the Pentateuch, or Torah. Understanding its relation to Jesus in biblical teachings requires a journey through the rich tapestry of Scripture, where the threads of Old Testament symbolism are woven into the New Testament fulfillment.
The mercy seat, or "kapporet" in Hebrew, was the gold cover of the Ark of the Covenant, which was housed in the Holy of Holies within the Tabernacle and later the Temple. This sacred object is described in detail in Exodus 25:17-22. It was here, between the two cherubim that adorned the mercy seat, that the presence of God would dwell. It was also here that the high priest would sprinkle the blood of the sacrifice on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) to atone for the sins of Israel (Leviticus 16:14-15).
The mercy seat represents the intersection of God’s justice and mercy. As the place where atonement was made, it symbolizes God’s willingness to forgive and His desire for reconciliation with His people. This is a critical theme that resonates throughout the biblical narrative and finds its ultimate expression in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul makes a direct connection between the mercy seat and Jesus in Romans 3:25, where he uses the Greek word "hilasterion," which is often translated as "propitiation" or "atoning sacrifice." This term is the same used in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) to refer to the mercy seat. Paul writes, "God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith." Here, Paul is drawing a parallel between the mercy seat and Jesus, suggesting that Jesus is now the place where atonement is made, where God's mercy meets humanity’s need for forgiveness.
The mercy seat was a foreshadowing of Christ’s sacrificial work. Just as the high priest entered the Holy of Holies once a year to make atonement for the sins of the people, Jesus, our great High Priest, entered once for all into the heavenly sanctuary, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:11-12). This act of atonement is not temporary or repeated annually, but is once and for all, perfectly fulfilling the requirements of God’s justice and demonstrating His mercy.
Moreover, the mercy seat was the place where God met with His people. In Exodus 25:22, God says, "There I will meet with you; and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony, I will speak to you about all that I will give you in commandment for the sons of Israel." This meeting place is a type of the ultimate meeting place between God and humanity in the person of Jesus Christ. Through Jesus, God has come to dwell among us (John 1:14), providing a way for us to enter into His presence with confidence (Hebrews 4:16).
The mercy seat also signifies the covering of sin. The Hebrew word "kapporet" comes from the root "kaphar," which means "to cover." In the Old Testament sacrificial system, the blood sprinkled on the mercy seat symbolically covered the sins of the people. In the New Testament, Jesus’ sacrificial death does not merely cover our sins but removes them entirely, as stated in Hebrews 10:4, "It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins." Jesus, the Lamb of God, takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
Furthermore, the mercy seat and the Ark of the Covenant were central to the worship and religious life of Israel, just as Jesus is central to Christian faith and worship. The Ark was the physical manifestation of God’s covenant with Israel, and Jesus is the embodiment of the new covenant, established through His blood (Luke 22:20). This new covenant is based on better promises (Hebrews 8:6), offering not just a temporary reprieve from sin but a permanent relationship with God.
The imagery of the mercy seat invites us to reflect on the nature of God's mercy and justice, both of which are perfectly fulfilled in Jesus. In the mercy seat, we see a God who does not ignore sin but provides a means of atonement. In Jesus, we see the ultimate expression of this divine mercy, as God Himself provides the sacrifice necessary to reconcile the world to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19).
In conclusion, the mercy seat is a profound symbol of God’s plan of redemption. It points forward to Jesus, who is both the sacrifice and the place of atonement. In Jesus, we find the fulfillment of the mercy seat’s promise—a God who meets us in our sin, covers us with His grace, and invites us into His presence. This understanding of the mercy seat enriches our appreciation of the continuity between the Old and New Testaments and deepens our gratitude for the unparalleled mercy demonstrated through Christ.
