Title: Grace of the Cross (Atonement Place)
Exodus (71) The grace of the cross (the mercy seat) (Ex 25:10-22)
< Ark and the mercy seat >
The most important holy thing in the tabernacle is the ark. When other holy things were destroyed, they were rebuilt, but only the ark of the covenant was used as it was by Moses. A noble relic that cannot be recreated. The Israelites met God at the ark and experienced the grace of God's presence. But in the New Testament, we meet God through Jesus. The mediator in the Old Testament is the ark of the covenant, and Jesus is the mediator in the New Testament.
When you think of the ark, you are reminded of its gorgeous appearance. How gorgeous is it to be considered Israel's National Treasure No. 1? However, it also makes you think about the weakness hidden in the revealed splendor. The ark was made of poorly carved wood (Sidtim) (verse 10). The cypress is a kind of thorn tree that grows in the wilderness, and compared to trees such as cedar in Lebanon, it is a poor tree. Still, it is valuable. It is because the outside is plated with pure gold (verse 11), and precious things are placed inside it.
The appearance of the ark is reminiscent of a human being. Life is like an earthen vessel. However, if God overshadows him with grace and the Triune God exists within him, he becomes a shining being. The history of the church is the history made through such weak people. God doesn't use handsome people, but gives grace to people who acknowledge that they are earthen vessels. It is because God's glory is less revealed if we are so capable that we do not need God. That is the lesson of the ark made of carved wood.
There were three blessed holy things in the ark. These are the two stone tablets of the Ten Commandments (Gen 32), manna from heaven (Ex 16), and Aaron's rod that budded (Numbers 16). Each of these three holy objects symbolizes the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Although they are such precious relics, the people of Israel committed a deadly sin in connection with these relics. When the two stone tablets of the Ten Commandments were brought, a golden calf was made and worshiped. He ate manna and was grateful at first, but later complained that it was a stinky plant. Aaron's rod that budded is related to the sin against Moses and Aaron's authority. Therefore, the three blessed holy things are also reminiscent of the sins of the people.
What is the memory of that sin covered by? It is covered by the lid of the ark. The cover of the ark is referred to as the mercy seat in verses 17-22 of the text, and the mercy seat is also called the mercy seat (place where grace is given) or the seat of mercy (place where grace is given). At both ends of the mercy seat, the cherubim were facing each other and turned upwards looking down on the mercy seat (verse 20).
"The Grace of the Cross"
In the Old Testament times, once a year on the Day of Atonement, the blood of the sacrifice from the burnt offering was sprinkled on the mercy seat on the ark of the ark seven times to perform the rite of remission of sins. It foreshadows that Jesus will shed His blood to cover sins. The blood of the Lord can cover all sins. It doesn't matter who committed any great sin. Through the work of blood, those who believe in Jesus are no longer in a state of condemnation.
Without the blood of Jesus, man would not have escaped the wrath of God. Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins (Hebrews 9:22). People also say something like this if someone made a mistake. “Anyone! I want to see your blood!” In the same way, God said to the sinner, “Someone! Let me see your blood!” he says. If there was no blood of Jesus, man would have to show his own blood. So it would have been a bloody life.
You cannot escape the wrath of God by keeping the law well. If you sweep your mind with the law, it may seem a bit swept away, but the dust rises as well, increasing anxiety. The law gives little strength and comfort to the soul when it feels a heavy burden of sin. The law simply said, “Do this! Just do it!” I try to do that, but every now and then I always feel that my soul has not moved forward an inch.
Even if you keep the law well, the burden of sin is still heavy. Considering that fact, how great is the grace of the cross? There is nothing a person can do to take away the burden of sin. When we truly believe and give thanks for the fact that Jesus shed His blood for us on the cross, our souls will be freed from the burden of sin and enjoy the freedom of heart that God has given us.
There is nothing Satan fears except the cross of Jesus. Therefore, if you want to be the one that Satan fears, live under the shadow of the cross. Even if there is only one hatred and dislike on your own, it is usually not difficult to overcome it. Those barriers are the barriers of sin before the soul. What broke the problem? The atoning blood of the cross destroyed it. Therefore, always live under the grace of the cross, solving the problems of your environment and your heart.