This is something that has been strong on my heart as I've been pressing in on God.

"The mercy seat is openly accessible, a reminder of the availability of the atonement and ongoing cleansing available for each of us. Through the shed blood of Jesus we can approach God at any time, any place. The physical mercy seat is representative of a mercy seat within, a place where we may come unafraid to encounter a holy God. As we worship, this symbol of our open door to the holy God is visible.

Use of the mercy seat in public worship should remind us that we are all equally in need of God’s grace — to be forgiven for sins of disobedience — intentional or unintentional, for atonement for the first time or for the cleansing needed in the ongoing pursuit of purity. Kneeling at the mercy seat also symbolizes a desire for closer communion with God which will carry into the daily business of life. The two are inseparable. If we are doing the work of God in the world we will need ongoing cleansing and restoration to give us strength and hope to go out and live for God.

The mercy seat covered the Ark of the Covenant, the symbol of God’s powerful presence among his people. Its very name affirms the promise of God to bless, and keep… a promise of life. Jesus spoke of his ministry in similar terms, as life giving. “I am come that they might have life in all its fullness.” The mercy seat symbolizes this life available in its fullness through the work of God. As such it is represents both a one time act of atonement — the death of Christ on the cross — and an ongoing pursuit of purity. Or put another way, salvation and holiness."

- Bruce Power (from The Rubicon)

Let's get back on our knees! Let's stop looking at the Mercy Seat as a place for only sinners and drunks, but as a place where we can expirience the awe of meeting the Most High God, face to face. Let's make it a place for saints!

- posted by Jonathan@ 10:19 PM