Mercy = Access to God

This morning’s passage of scripture to study as relates to “mercy” is in Hebrews and I must say took a minute to resonate with me. I was focused on the “mercy seat” referenced and not the passage and it’s significance.

“⁵Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.” — Hebrews 9:5 (ESV)

My focus on the “mercy seat” and the time it took for me to understand was warranted and well worth it in that I did just that, understand. Again, there is more to it all than just the verse itself. I have to remember that just selecting a verse and looking to apply it is not the intention of God’s Word. Those singular verses can and are often misapplied.

The writer of Hebrews here is describing the Tabernacle and the significance of it and the rooms contained. It is not until I read the entire passage and understand that I see that access to God was provided thanks to His mercy. In the Old Testament, the Tabernacle was divided into multiple “rooms” and those rooms were restricted to those who were counted as worthy, priests and high priests. The people were not “allowed” to enter and therefor did not have direct access to God. The mercy seat, is more aptly understood to be the dwelling place of God and by it proximity in the tabernacle, was not available to the people.

“⁸By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing” – Hebrews 9:8 (ESV)

God then demonstrated His mercy. Jesus came and was sacrificed on the cross for our sins. He was presented by God as the sacrifice, taking the place of the people, me included, so I did not have to experience the agony and death attributed to sin. And thanks to God’s mercy through the death of Jesus, the people have direct access to Him.

“⁴⁴It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, ⁴⁵while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. ⁴⁶Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!’ And having said this he breathed his last.” — Luke 23:44-46 (ESV)

God’s mercy provided access to His dwelling place. Now you and I have the chance to come directly to Him at any and all times. Where as the mercy seat or dwelling place of God was restricted before, thanks to His mercy, there is now unrestricted access to Him. There is no longer a wall between He and I. I do not have to wait for the time of atonement. I can engage with God now and forever by simply calling on Him. His mercy equals access to Him.

What was/is your thoughts on access to God? Did you believe it was something that you had to earn, and that somehow He was too great for you? What if you just embrace the idea that before Jesus, there was restricted access to Him and thanks to His mercy, we are now have the unrestricted access to Him forever?