Jesus the Mercy Seat

Bible Passage: Romans 3:25; cf. Hebrews 9:5

I. Romans 3:25 God publicly displayed him [Jesus] at his death as the mercy seat (kapporet, hiasterion) accessible through faith (NET Bible)

1. The word kapporet appears first in Exodus 25:17, where it refers to a piece of furniture: it is translated as “seat of propitiation,” “seat of atonement,” and “mercy seat” (here on, we use the term “mercy seat”)

2. It was placed on the Ark of the Covenant but was different from the Ark—it was not just a lid

3. It was meant to be the place where God would meet with sinful humanity ones every year on the Day of Atonement —v. 22 “I will meet with you” (Exodus

25:17-25)

4. In Romans 3:25, the word “mercy seat” hilasterion refers to the piece of furniture mentioned in (Exodus 25:17-22)

5. i.e., Paul calls Jesus the “Mercy Seat” hilasterion—the seat that was placed on the Ark of the Covenant (it is a typology)

6. (Let’s compare the hilasterion of Exodus 25:17 with Romans 3:25)
Exodus 25:17

(a) The mercy seat is a platform/furniture
(b) Enter with the blood of the lamb
(c) After the sanctification of the priest
(d) Priest + Sacrificial Lamb
(e) Through the mediation of the priest
(f) Once a year on the Day of Atonement
Romans 3:25
(a) The Mercy Seat is Jesus
(b) Enter with the blood of Jesus (cf. John 17:19)
(c) By the faithfulness of Jesus
(d) Jesus + Jesus
(e) By faith in Jesus (to everyone)
(f) 24/7

II. Why does Paul call Jesus the Mercy Seat (hilasterion)?

1. Per Romans 1:18–3:20, the “wrath of God” is/was in store for all

2. All stood guilty before God and thereby liable to be condemned (Romans 3:23)

3. The Good News is that God offers Jesus as the Mercy Seat by whom humanity will be able to come to God

(a) Accessible by faith in Jesus
(b) Removing God’s wrath (vv. 25b & 26)
(c) Removing the stain of their sins (vv. 25b & 26)

Take Away

Draw near to God (Hebrews 10:22)