“God set forth as a propitiation by His blood” – Romans 3:25
When Jesus was crucified, He wasn’t hidden behind temple veils or tucked away in sacred chambers. He was set forth—publicly displayed—for all to see. But what exactly was God showing us? Romans 3:25 says Jesus was “set forth as a propitiation by His blood.” That word propitiation may sound complex, but it carries a powerful truth. In 1 John 2:2 and 4:10, it’s translated from the Greek hilasmos, meaning “atoning sacrifice.” In Hebrews 9, we read about the mercy seat—the golden lid of the Ark of the Covenant—where the high priest sprinkled the blood of a lamb once a year to cover the sins of the people. That mercy seat is called hilasterion, the same word Paul uses in Romans. But unlike the hidden rituals of the Old Testament, Jesus was lifted up in full view, not to cover sin temporarily, but to remove it completely. His sacrifice didn’t just erase guilt—it turned away the wrath of God.
This matters deeply because God’s wrath is real. It’s not a wild, emotional outburst—it’s a holy, controlled response to sin. Scripture speaks of God’s wrath over 580 times in the Old Testament and repeatedly in the New. Even in John’s Gospel, known for its emphasis on love, we read, “He who does not believe… the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36). Jesus Himself warned the women of Jerusalem not to weep for Him, but for themselves (Luke 23:28). He knew that many would reject Him even after seeing Him suffer. In Gethsemane, Jesus wasn’t just dreading the nails—He was preparing to bear the full weight of divine wrath, to be separated from the Father, so that we might be brought near. Without propitiation, there is no salvation—only judgment.
So what do we do with this truth? First, we stop treating guilt as the end goal. Guilt is meant to lead us to repentance, not just remorse. Like the tax collector in Luke 18:13 who cried, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” we must come to God not just feeling sorry, but seeking mercy. Second, we must stop pitying Jesus and start praising Him. His suffering was not a tragedy—it was a triumph. He didn’t just carry a cross; He carried our sin. And finally, we must live in the freedom His blood purchased. Jesus didn’t die to make us feel bad—He died to make us clean. So today, come boldly. Receive the mercy that was put on display. Let His blood speak louder than your guilt, and let His propitiation turn away the wrath you could never bear.
“Paul’s use of hilasterion in Romans 3:25 is best understood as portraying Jesus as the mercy seat—the place where God’s wrath is satisfied and mercy is dispensed. It is not merely a sacrifice, but the very location of atonement, echoing the Old Testament imagery of the ark of the covenant. Jesus is both the priest and the place.” – Daniel P. Bailey
surrendered devotions 