Hesed

Today we talked about a word. One word. Not for the whole eleven hours, but if we were to talk about it for eleven hours, I think I would remain interested. This word summarizes the character of God as demonstrated through the person and work of Jesus Christ.

The word in Hebrew is Hesed. This word is commonly seen is the Psalms, as well as other Old Testament books. One example is seen in Psalm 48. “We have thought on your steadfast love, O God.” Our english translations use the phrase “steadfast love” to convey this Hebrew meaning of Hesed. As our professor noted, this translation serves its purpose, but we don’t capture the full meaning. It is better captured as the unfailing, unlimited, unbroken, committed covenantal faithfulness of God towards us that demands a response. 

This is the essence of Hesed that is extended towards us. How do we know this? How can we be sure that this is the type of love our Heavenly Father extends towards us? We look to the cross. In Jesus, we see the perfect picture of Hesed. We see God, in his abundant mercy, accomplishing for sinners what we can’t accomplish for ourselves. We see Jesus, the great friend of sinners, God with us, living the life we should have lived, dying the death we deserve to die, and giving the gift of righteousness we cannot earn. How magnificent it is, that because of this great savior Jesus, we may now forever dwell in the resplendent Hesed of God.