Unity at the Mercy Seat
Sermon Blog 6/28/25: Pastor Jim McKinnies
In a world often divided by differences, there's a powerful message of unity that transcends our human limitations. This unity isn't about conformity or sameness, but rather a divine connection that brings diverse individuals together as one body in Christ.
The concept of unity in diversity is beautifully illustrated in the biblical description of the Ark of the Covenant. In Exodus 25:18-20, we find a vivid depiction of two cherubim on the mercy seat. These cherubim were not cast from a mold, ensuring uniformity. Instead, they were beaten work, shaped under pressure, each unique in its form. This imagery speaks volumes about how God views His people - uniquely crafted, yet united in purpose.
What's striking about these cherubim is their posture. While they were facing each other, they were looking down at the mercy seat. This downward gaze is significant because it was on the mercy seat that the blood of sacrifice was sprinkled. The only way these cherubim could see each other was through the reflection in the pooled blood.
This powerful symbolism teaches us a profound truth: true unity in the body of Christ comes when we focus on His mercy and sacrifice, rather than on each other's differences or imperfections. When we look at one another through the lens of Christ's blood, we see each other as redeemed, forgiven, and worthy of love and acceptance.
The Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment in Ephesians 4:1-3, urging believers to "walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Unity, Paul teaches, isn't achieved through dominance or conformity, but through humility, gentleness, patience, and love.
This unity is not about erasing our differences. In fact, 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 celebrates the diversity within the body of Christ: "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ." We are reminded that whether we are "Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free," we are all baptized into one body.
Our differences are not meant to divide us but to complement each other. Just as a physical body needs various parts to function optimally, the body of Christ needs diverse gifts, talents, and perspectives to fulfill its purpose. We are called to embrace our unique roles while recognizing our interconnectedness and mutual dependence.
However, achieving this unity isn't always easy. It requires effort and a conscious decision to view others through the lens of Christ's sacrifice. This is where the power of communion comes in. When we partake in the Lord's Supper, we're not just performing a ritual. We're refocusing our attention on the mercy seat - on Christ's body broken for us and His blood shed for our redemption.
1 Corinthians 10:16-17 reminds us: "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread." Communion serves as a powerful reminder of our unity in Christ, bringing us back to the foot of the cross where all our differences fade in light of His great love.
This unity through Christ's blood is not just a theological concept; it has practical implications for how we live and interact with one another. Colossians 3:13 exhorts us to forbear and forgive one another, "even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." When we remember how much we've been forgiven, it becomes easier to extend that same grace to others.
Moreover, this understanding of unity challenges us to embrace our unique calling without trying to fit into a mold that wasn't designed for us. Like those cherubim beaten into unique shapes, we are each crafted by God for specific purposes.
Instead of striving to be like everyone else or comparing ourselves to others, we're called to keep our eyes fixed on Christ. As we do so, He molds and shapes us, using even our imperfections and struggles to create something beautiful that contributes to the body as a whole.
This message of unity is especially relevant in our diverse world. It reminds us that in Christ, there are no dividing walls between nationalities, cultures, or social statuses. As Ephesians 2:13-14 declares, "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us."
In conclusion, true unity in the body of Christ isn't about forced agreement or artificial harmony. It's about keeping our focus on the mercy seat - on Christ's sacrifice that makes us one. It's about viewing ourselves and others through the lens of His redeeming blood. As we do so, we create space for diversity while maintaining our essential oneness in Him.
Let us, therefore, endeavor to keep this unity of the Spirit. Let's celebrate our differences while remembering our common ground in Christ. And as we do, may we experience the blessing that God commands where brethren dwell together in unity (Psalm 133:1-3). For in this unity - this oneness at the mercy seat - we find not just peace, but power. Power to love, power to forgive, and power to change the world as the diverse yet united body of Christ.
In a world often divided by differences, there's a powerful message of unity that transcends our human limitations. This unity isn't about conformity or sameness, but rather a divine connection that brings diverse individuals together as one body in Christ.
The concept of unity in diversity is beautifully illustrated in the biblical description of the Ark of the Covenant. In Exodus 25:18-20, we find a vivid depiction of two cherubim on the mercy seat. These cherubim were not cast from a mold, ensuring uniformity. Instead, they were beaten work, shaped under pressure, each unique in its form. This imagery speaks volumes about how God views His people - uniquely crafted, yet united in purpose.
What's striking about these cherubim is their posture. While they were facing each other, they were looking down at the mercy seat. This downward gaze is significant because it was on the mercy seat that the blood of sacrifice was sprinkled. The only way these cherubim could see each other was through the reflection in the pooled blood.
This powerful symbolism teaches us a profound truth: true unity in the body of Christ comes when we focus on His mercy and sacrifice, rather than on each other's differences or imperfections. When we look at one another through the lens of Christ's blood, we see each other as redeemed, forgiven, and worthy of love and acceptance.
The Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment in Ephesians 4:1-3, urging believers to "walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Unity, Paul teaches, isn't achieved through dominance or conformity, but through humility, gentleness, patience, and love.
This unity is not about erasing our differences. In fact, 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 celebrates the diversity within the body of Christ: "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ." We are reminded that whether we are "Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free," we are all baptized into one body.
Our differences are not meant to divide us but to complement each other. Just as a physical body needs various parts to function optimally, the body of Christ needs diverse gifts, talents, and perspectives to fulfill its purpose. We are called to embrace our unique roles while recognizing our interconnectedness and mutual dependence.
However, achieving this unity isn't always easy. It requires effort and a conscious decision to view others through the lens of Christ's sacrifice. This is where the power of communion comes in. When we partake in the Lord's Supper, we're not just performing a ritual. We're refocusing our attention on the mercy seat - on Christ's body broken for us and His blood shed for our redemption.
1 Corinthians 10:16-17 reminds us: "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread." Communion serves as a powerful reminder of our unity in Christ, bringing us back to the foot of the cross where all our differences fade in light of His great love.
This unity through Christ's blood is not just a theological concept; it has practical implications for how we live and interact with one another. Colossians 3:13 exhorts us to forbear and forgive one another, "even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." When we remember how much we've been forgiven, it becomes easier to extend that same grace to others.
Moreover, this understanding of unity challenges us to embrace our unique calling without trying to fit into a mold that wasn't designed for us. Like those cherubim beaten into unique shapes, we are each crafted by God for specific purposes.
Instead of striving to be like everyone else or comparing ourselves to others, we're called to keep our eyes fixed on Christ. As we do so, He molds and shapes us, using even our imperfections and struggles to create something beautiful that contributes to the body as a whole.
This message of unity is especially relevant in our diverse world. It reminds us that in Christ, there are no dividing walls between nationalities, cultures, or social statuses. As Ephesians 2:13-14 declares, "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us."
In conclusion, true unity in the body of Christ isn't about forced agreement or artificial harmony. It's about keeping our focus on the mercy seat - on Christ's sacrifice that makes us one. It's about viewing ourselves and others through the lens of His redeeming blood. As we do so, we create space for diversity while maintaining our essential oneness in Him.
Let us, therefore, endeavor to keep this unity of the Spirit. Let's celebrate our differences while remembering our common ground in Christ. And as we do, may we experience the blessing that God commands where brethren dwell together in unity (Psalm 133:1-3). For in this unity - this oneness at the mercy seat - we find not just peace, but power. Power to love, power to forgive, and power to change the world as the diverse yet united body of Christ.
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