
THIS was the Propitiatory. Beneath it lay the tables of the law, which even  Moses had broken, almost as soon as they came into his hands, but which had been  renewed. Concealing and covering them lay this golden lid, encrusted with the  blood which successive generations of priests sprinkled there on the Great Day  of Atonement.
There can be no doubt that this golden slab sets forth our  Saviour's obedience unto death. God set Him forth to be "the Propitiation for  our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole  world."
Our Lord's obedience is priceless in the Divine esteem. - What  pure gold is among metals, that is His advent to do God's will, in comparison  with all other endeavors to do it. It takes the first place, and is of peerless  beauty and excellence. "Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the  things which He suffered."
His obedience was to blood. - His wounds tell  the story. He held nothing back; but yielded all to blood-shedding. Blood is  life, and life is in the Blood: this He freely poured out to meet the claims of  justice, and herein gave the sublimest token of His love.
His person and  work are the medium of our approach. - In Jesus the Shekinah of God's presence  awaits us. On this priceless mercy-seat the Divine Fire trembles, and we may  draw near with boldness. We are beloved children; but let us never forget that  we are redeemed sinners.
There is a place where Jesus sheds
The oil of  gladness on our heads;
A place than all beside more sweet - 
It is the  blood-stained Mercy-seat.