The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning, great is your faithfulness.

The guardians must face one another with bowed heads, their wings spread so that they reach up and cover the seat of mercy. After you put the stone tablets that I will give you as a witness to our agreement in the chest, place the seat of mercy-where sins are atoned-as a lid to cover the chest. I will meet with you there. I will speak to you from above the seat of mercy between the two winged creatures that sit atop the covenant chest. From there, I will speak to you about all the commands and instructions I have for the people of Israel.” (Exodus 25:20-22)

The place that God spoke about His commands was from the place of mercy. His commands were to be kept in a chest that was enclosed in mercy with a lid as the seat where sins were atoned for. From the beginning, God was speaking that His commands needed to be received from a place of mercy and atonement rather than judgment.

“Pour your love down and cover me” sings in the background.

When Jesus came, He told those who studied the Word of God to go learn what this means, “I desire mercy not sacrifice.” They had studied the Word but it was outside the context of mercy and they had lost their way.

Ever read something and took it entirely the wrong way? You thought they meant one thing and it turns out they meant something completely different? The difference not being in receiving the words correctly but the heart behind the words.

The experts of the law knew the law but they failed to understand it in light of mercy. Rather they looked at it as a list of works to perform and chose to use it as a tool for power and judgment. They did not know God through it because they failed to see their need for mercy and atonement in it.

John referred to Jesus as “The Word.” Jesus came to fulfill the Word – not judge us by it. By His death and atonement for our sins we have been judged not guilty. Pope Francis writes, “When the Father beholds the wounds of Jesus he forgives us forever, not because we are good, but because Jesus paid for us. Beholding the wounds of Jesus, the Father becomes most merciful... he sees the wounds of Jesus, he sees our sin, and he forgives it.” [1]

Over and over, God paints a picture of mercy over judgment as He establishes the Israelites in covenant as His people. He says to Moses about Aaron as the High Priest, “Aaron must keep the names of the tribes of Israel, in the breast piece of judgment over his heart whenever he enters the holy place....” (Ex. 28:29)

And in Ex. 28:30 He says, “Keep the Urim and Thummin in a special pouch on the front of the breast piece of judgment. Aaron must wear these two objects over his heart whenever he enters My presence. This way he will always have with him a way to know My will and make sound decisions for the people of Israel.”

Decisions and judgments regarding the people of God were to be made before God from the place of the heart -not the head. Too often we want to analyze options or decide what is right from our heads. We then feel self righteous about what is decided rather than grateful. It is when we are coming from the heart and standing before God that our decisions are sound.

Often there is much more going on behind the scenes in a person's life we are not seeing.  When we know people's story, we are not as quick to judge them.   Someone may show aggression and people may turn and think, "what a mean person."  Only to find out the person has brain damage and an inability to process emotion.  What they really need is healing and freedom.   I think this is what God thinks when He looks upon us in love amidst our failures.   What people need is an advocate.  Someone who will understand and be on their side.  This is what Jesus is to us.
 

Lord, forgive me for sometimes not getting it... that it is about You and Your mercy, not me and what rules I need to follow. Help us to receive Your mercy and give it away freely and generously to all that are around us. Quicken our hearts to turn back to you when we analyze and judge situations and those around us. “Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase your mercy in us...” [2]