“You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold…you shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark…and there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony…” (Exodus 25:17-22).
The mercy seat was the lid or cover of solid gold on the Ark, which was a small chest overlaid with gold. Visualize at each end of the Mercy Seat, and in one piece with it, two hammered gold cherubim (seraphs or angels) facing one another. Their outstretched wings overshadowed the gold atonement cover and their faces constantly looked down upon it. They were symbols of the presence and holiness of the Lord and were His chosen instruments of judgment for any sinful approach toward His Presence. As the cherubim looked upon the blood sprinkled by the High Priest of Israel, the wrath of God was appeased and they were at peace. God spoke from above the mercy seat (Exodus 25:22) and the seraphim provided a throne for God where He would mediate His rule on earth as a representation of the throne in Heaven in the times of the Great Temple in Jerusalem.
The Mercy Seat: the Place of the Blood
In the New Testament this Mercy Seat is spoken of in Hebrews 9:2-5 and Romans 3:23-26.
This mercy seat, “kapporet” in Hebrew, means atonement location as in cleansing. In Greek the word is “hilasterion” meaning propitiation (someone who appeases or conciliates — someone who satisfies a need for something). It is used in the New Testament in Romans 3:25 where we are told that God presented Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) as a propitiation or “mercy seat” for us. The seat did not derive its worth from the purity of its gold, but it was the place where the blood of sacrifices were sprinkled in the presence of Yahweh. As a propitiatory, Yeshua, through faith in the purity of His blood sacrifice, fulfills our need at this mercy seat. Mercy has been described as showing compassion, or showing forgiveness when it is within one’s power to punish. Alternative meanings are leniency, clemency, grace, charity, forgiveness, forbearance, generosity or blessing.
God’s mercy has met believers on an infinitely great scale. We do not receive what we really deserve. When our hand was in the cookie jar and we broke the cookie jar, it was His forbearance of our being caught in the act, and forgiving us that is the ultimate expression of mercy was presented to us. (John 3:17). I believe we can all thank God that Yeshua is our mercy seat and He is the one we still run to when forgiveness is required.
For Mercy’s Sake
In 1988, three years after our arrival in Jerusalem and the birth of Christian Friends of Israel in December 1985, a parcel arrived from a Mr. Jonathan Sacks in America. I had never met him and do not know where to locate him even today, but he mailed a large envelope to us and inside was a spiral-bound manual entitled For Mercy’s Sake (The Christian’s Role in Healing the Jewish Heart). That small manual, having been buried under a large number of books for years, was recently resurrected and I have referenced it here. I share Jonathan’s name because portions of this article are direct quotes. I wish to give him proper credit for sending this wonderfully researched work to us many years ago. The “healing balm” that CFI came to be to the Jewish nation is indeed, because of mercy’s sake. In the handbook are chapters with titles such as: Mercy: The Healing Medicine; Mercy: The Believer’s Response; and Mercy: The Application. As I reviewed it again, I saw that CFI is indeed fulfilling our role as servants of His mercy. (Matthew 5:17). Here is what I discovered.
His pen, mightier than a sword, cut an accurate portrait of the Jewish heart after the Holocaust. Trust had been destroyed. All non-Jewish people would be met with suspicion. Even sincere efforts to love would be met with the expectancy that strings were attached. Upon our arrival in Israel, in 1985, their wounds were still exposed. The Jewish people sometimes said to us, “Why would you want to help me?…you are a Christian!” “Why did you come here?” We quickly learned that they thought it impossible for a non-Jew to be their real friends. The memories of betrayal, persecution, victimization, fear, terror, and despairing of life had become embedded in the Jewish soul, throughout 20 centuries, while they were scattered among the Gentiles where too often they were treated like a cancer. Few Christians said: “Do not fear, we will shield you!” By 1988 we had learned that the condition of the Jewish heart was truly in great need of healing. So what was the cure?
As Jonathan had written, God’s mercy was the critical healing ointment needed. As we began to apply this “salve” of mercy, the Jewish soul, through gentle compassion and love, began to respond. An understanding heart was and still is a vital part of their healing process. The Bible repeatedly states that mercy will characterize God’s dealings with Israel in the last days and we should imitate Him (See Jeremiah 33:23-26). We understand so much better now that God consoles them in their wounded and often depressed condition through us, His vessels.
The two words “healing balm” were imparted to us in a vision long before we arrived in Israel and were emblazoned upon our hearts by the Holy Spirit. We did not know their meaning until after we found out how great the need was by living in Israel among the Jewish people. It was only after multiple visits in their homes listening to stories of pain and suffering that we realized what medicinal application was needed.” It was simply mercy… characterized by unconditional love. (Read Psalm 102:12-19; 20, 22.) We became aware how God wanted us to give back to them, the same mercy He had bestowed upon us. We would be given the prophetic responsibility of being chosen vessels of mercy to His Chosen Ones. One Jewish couple acknowledged our role and casually, but boldly proclaimed what I will never forget: “You are two thousand years late, but thank God you came!”
Being deeply concerned with their inner healing, God’s requirements were for us to enter their lives with a compassion which they had never before experienced outside of their Jewish community. CFI teams are still carrying His Love. Testimonies of healing experiences are multiple. This identical compassion motivated Jesus to meet the needs of the weak and wounded He encountered. He met each person where they were and went into their homes and ministered.
It deeply affects us adversely when we hear of Christians who come to Israel and without thought or care of another’s feelings, approach a Jewish person and boldly proclaim: “You are blind, you just don’t see Jesus!” They do not know the person. They never took the time to build a relationship with them. They simply feel compelled to compulsively add another prideful blow to an already blurred vision of Jesus. Did it ever occur to them that “maybe” their Jewish friend could not see Him clearly because of the condescending attitudes of superiority which Christendom has shown the Jewish community for centuries? The Lord should be seen in our eyes, perceived in our lives, and our willingness to do anything it takes to bring blessing. Restoring trust takes time.The healing of Jewish hearts is still our call from God. Only when their hearts are healed through unconditional love, that neither makes demands nor expects concession, will strongholds of mistrust keep Jews and Christians from being faithful friends, be broken. It is only through mercy, that the true Gospel of Yeshua is lived.
Church Passes By
As the Father performed merciful deeds for us before they were deserved, His children are to do the same to others. Isn’t it wonderful that God did not wait until we were righteous and measured up to His desires before being merciful to us? In fact, it was only possible for us to approach God after we had been touched by His Mercy. We must keep praying and extending mercy until the Jewish people are fully restored. The Lord gave the greatest gift of all—Himself and we need to give of ourselves for the historical wounds inflicted over a span of 1900 years to be healed. It takes time.
Tragically, resembling the band of thieves who wounded the man on the road to Jericho, Christianity left the Jewish people half dead, abandoned, and without hope during their calamity and times of trouble. It is as if we passed by “on the other side” not wanting to get involved with their dilemmas which called for choices to be made by believers. It was sadly far more convenient to let them die by turning a blind eye to their suffering.
Not long ago an orthodox rabbi came to visit me and asked, “How did the Nazis know which homes were Jewish homes when they came to Poland?” Then he answered his own question: “The Christians in Poland pointed to where the Jewish houses were.” His relatives had taken in a Christian man who had lived with them for years as he had no other place to live. He ate and drank at their table. They counted him as one of their family—until the Nazis came. Who was the first person to turn the Jewish family in? The Christian who had eaten at their table in their home. He informed the Nazis and had the family transported to a concentration camp! Yes, most of Christendom left the Jewish people half dead on the side of the road and then passed by to the other side forgetting the words of Jesus “…love thy neighbor as thyself...” (Mark 12:31; Leviticus 19:18).
Luther’s Challenge
In 1519, Martin Luther challenged the Church doctrine Servitus Judaeorum (Servitude of the Jews) established by Justinian. Luther wrote, “Absurd theologians defend hatred for the Jews…what Jew would consent to enter our ranks when he sees the cruelty and enmity we wreak on them—that in our behavior toward them we less resemble Christians than beasts?” In Luther’s 1523 essay, “That Jesus Christ Was Born a Jew,” Luther condemned the inhuman treatment of the Jewish people and urged Christians to be merciful and to treat them kindly. Luther’s fervent desire was that the Jewish people would hear the Gospel proclaimed clearly and be moved to convert to Christianity. And so, he argued: If I had been a Jew and had seen such dolts and blockheads govern and teach the Christian faith, I would sooner have become a hog than a Christian. They have dealt with the Jews as if they were dogs rather than human beings; they have done little else than deride them and seize their property…they show them nothing of Christian doctrine or life, but only subject them to pomp and mockery…if the apostles, who were also Jews, had dealt with us Gentiles as we Gentiles deal with the Jews, there would never have been a Christian among the Gentiles…when we are inclined to boast of our position (as Christians) we should remember that we are but Gentiles, but the Jews are of the lineage of Christ.
We are aliens and in-laws; they are blood relatives, cousins, and brothers of our Lord. Therefore, if one is to boast of flesh and blood, the Jews are actually nearer to Christ than we are…if we really want to help them, we must be guided in our dealings with them not by papal law but by the law of Christian love. We must receive them…and permit them to trade and work with us, that they may have occasion and opportunity to associate with us, hear our Christian teaching, and witness our Christian life…” Sadly, he turned from mercy and taught his followers that it was satisfactory to be cruel to the Jewish people because they did not deserve to live (The Jews and Their Lies). That is one reason why so many Christians did not stop to help the Jewish people during the Holocaust. They listened blindly to their leader instead of searching the Scriptures to see what God said about blessing the Jewish people, beginning with Genesis 12:3.
Vessels of Healing
In the writings of Isaiah God asks a question: “by whom will I comfort you?” (Isaiah 51:18-19). As the nations turn against the Jewish people the growing sense of isolation is developing. Christian friends of Israel must continue to answer the call to be vessels of mercy to the Jewish person. History all too clearly reveals Christianity as some of the worst persecutors of the Jewish people. We thank God for awakening multitudes of believers to the importance of our Hebraic roots and to the spiritual debt we owe to the Jewish people. Over the past 25-30 years, pioneer organizations such as CFI, have been working to undo the damage done in the name of the Lord to His Precious Chosen People.
The Good Samaritans, through a ministry such as CFI, now are able to sit by the wounded man’s side through dark hours. Whenever possible, provision is made for the wounded man’s needs, whether trauma, scars or as is the case quite often, loneliness in old age. If we do not know what it is to kneel beside someone who needs an arm of support, a tissue to wipe their tears or a gentle caring hand to comfort… perhaps we need to learn more from the Master. Thank God for those who have heard the shofar’s call (Isaiah 18:3) and dedicate themselves to responding to its summons for mercy. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7).
None of us deserve God’s incredible patience and long-suffering and in the natural, it is sometimes hard to believe. He has loved us all through many mistakes that have been made in our lifetimes. Precious is the merciful kindness of the Lord, more valuable than gold. “Let Israel now say…let the House of Aaron now say…let them now that fear the Lord say, that His mercy endureth forever” (Psalm 118: 204). Let us all approach Him with deeper gratitude and understanding, while trying to grasp such incredible love coming from the Almighty One, at the place He made for us to approach…the Mercy Seat.
-Sharon Sanders-