The Great Kiss
Scripture Reading: Joshua 11-13; Psalm 85
Psalm 85:10 (NKJV): “Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed.”
In a world that often feels divided, Psalm 85:10 offers a beautiful picture of reconciliation—where mercy and truth, righteousness and peace, come together in perfect harmony. This verse reveals God’s heart for restoration and points forward to the gospel, where these divine attributes meet in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The gospel is the ultimate fulfillment of this beautiful union.
Mercy and truth are two powerful attributes of God that we often see in tension. Mercy speaks of God’s loving kindness and His willingness to forgive and restore, even when we don’t deserve it. Truth, on the other hand, represents God’s holiness, His justice, and His commitment to what is right and pure.
In our human experience, mercy and truth often seem to conflict. How can mercy extend forgiveness without compromising justice? How can truth be upheld without crushing the sinner under the weight of condemnation? The beauty of the gospel is that in Christ, mercy and truth meet together. Jesus, the embodiment of truth (John 14:6), took on our sin and bore God’s wrath on the cross, so that mercy could flow freely to all who believe.
Righteousness and peace, too, are two attributes that often feel at odds. Righteousness requires justice—righting the wrongs, setting things in order. Peace, on the other hand, is the result of reconciliation, a restoration of harmony where there was once division.
In the gospel, righteousness and peace kiss because Jesus is our righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30) and through His work, He makes peace between us and God (Romans 5:1). The cross, where Jesus bore the penalty for our sin, not only satisfied the righteous demands of God’s law but also brought about the peace we so desperately need with our Creator.
The gospel is the glorious fulfillment of Psalm 85:10. In Jesus Christ, mercy and truth are reconciled, and righteousness and peace come together. The cross stands at the intersection where these divine attributes meet. Jesus, fully God and fully man, bore the punishment we deserved so that mercy could be extended to us, while at the same time upholding the truth of God’s justice. In His sacrifice, the perfect righteousness of Christ is imputed to us, and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding is made available to all who trust in Him.
The gospel is not just an abstract theological concept; it’s a personal invitation to experience God’s mercy, truth, righteousness, and peace. When we come before God, we don’t need to fear that our sin will be met with condemnation. Instead, we come in confidence, knowing that the work of Christ has already reconciled us to God.
Psalm 85:10 is a reminder of the fullness of what Christ has accomplished for us. Mercy and truth have met. Righteousness and peace have kissed. And through Jesus, we get to experience this perfect union every day.
