Life: The gift you can’t give yourself

 • The Bible Studies for Life lesson for Dec. 8 focuses on Romans 3:21-28.

God was at the center of the Israelite camp during their time in the wilderness, both literally and figuratively. Although they often fell short, the Law kept Israel’s focus on being God’s own people. Yet God also was at the center of the camp in a very tangible way. The tribes’ camp surrounded the tabernacle, also called “the tent of meeting.” God met with the people there.

The tabernacle was constructed of an outer courtyard surrounding a central tent, the holy place. People could go to the tabernacle for worship or sacrifice, but only priests could enter the holy place. There, within the holy place, was a second curtain marking the Holy of Holies. Behind that curtain was the ark, guarded by golden cherubim.

On top of the ark of the covenant was a golden covering, known as the mercy seat. The Lord appeared in the glory cloud over the mercy seat (Leviticus 16:2). Because of that, the high priest could not come before the mercy seat “whenever he chooses,” or he would die.

Day of Atonement

The high priest could enter only once a year, on the Day of Atonement. He would wash himself and put on special clothing. He would make atonement sacrifices for himself and for the people, only entering the Holy of Holies after the sacrifices were made. As he entered the presence of the Lord, the high priest was to take two handfuls of incense—a large amount—and a censer of coals from the altar. He was to place the fire before the Lord and throw the incense on it so the thick, fragrant smoke would cover the mercy seat and shield himself from the glory of the Lord. Then he was to sprinkle blood from the sacrifice on the mercy seat, making atonement for himself and the people.

In Romans 3:25, Paul says, “God presented Jesus as a sacrifice of atonement.” Paul uses the same Greek word for “atonement” the Septuagaint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, used to translate “mercy seat.”

Theologians are not united in whether the Old Testament concept of the mercy seat lay beneath Paul’s imagery, but the imagery and symbolism behind that thought are too strong to ignore. What priests did endlessly, year after year, Christ accomplished for all time (Hebrews 9:25-27). He entered the holy place not by the blood of bulls and goats but by his own precious blood. Jesus’ sacrifice brought atonement to all who believe. Jesus became the sin offering for us and purchased our forgiveness with his blood.

No divine lack of unity

We should not think of the atonement as Jesus pleading before the Father, as if God the Father demanded justice and Jesus begged for mercy. Nothing could be further from the truth. There is no conflict or lack of unity between Father, Son and Spirit. The gospel was not an afterthought, but a part of God’s redemptive plan from the very beginning. The cross was the fulfillment of all the Law and the prophets had promised (Romans 3:21). Jesus did not change God’s mind; he put hands and feet to what already was in the heart of the Father.

The cross is the place where our sinfulness meets God’s holiness, and God’s mercy triumphs. Hebrews tells us without the shedding of blood, there can be no forgiveness of sin (9:22). There is something in God’s justice that demands payment for sin (Romans 6:23). It is a debt none of us could hope to pay.

God would have been justified fully in leaving us to face the physical and spiritual death our sins had earned. Yet God’s love compelled him not to leave us in our sin. Jesus was the answer. His death satisfied the wrath of God, allowing God to fully express judgment against sin. His blood purchased our forgiveness, making us clean before God. Instead of God’s judgment, we experience his mercy and grace.

Finished at the cross

The cross completes our atonement. We can add nothing to what already has been done for us. Jesus was without sin. He did not deserve death but willingly took on our penalty so we might receive his righteousness. As Jesus hung bruised and bleeding on the cross, the full force of God’s wrath was poured out on him. He experienced the full measure of God’s justice so we might receive mercy. In his death, God’s righteousness was revealed—a God too just to pretend sin didn’t matter and too loving to leave us without hope.

We come to the cross as our mercy seat, our place of atonement. We don’t stand outside the tent, trembling, as the priest makes intercession for us. Nor do we wait as someone goes into the tent to speak with God on our behalf, only able to see God’s glory as it’s reflected on someone else’s face (Exodus 34:33-35).

Washed by the blood of Jesus, we enter the glory of the Lord unafraid (Hebrews 9:22). It is a gift we receive freely, by faith (Romans 3:25). Our good deeds and good intentions do not justify us; we do not earn God’s favor by our good deeds or keep it by Bible studies taught, Scripture verses memorized, or soup bowls filled. Instead, we cast ourselves on the mercy of our loving God who offered up Christ as our atonement. We meet him at the cross.