Issue 700 – The Mediator – March 31, 2022

Recently I was reading through the Word and looking at some of the Names and Titles of Christ. The word mediator struck me.

Most of us are familiar with the idea of a mediator. A mediator works between two different parties to bring a matter to a satisfactory conclusion. A mediator reconciles or bridges differences, usually in situations where the parties, for whatever reason, cannot or will not come to an agreement by themselves.

Jesus is our mediator. 

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 1 Timothy 2:5-6

For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. They serve as a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. Hebrews 8:3-6

Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. Hebrews 9:15

Why do we need a mediator between God and us? We are rebellious, sin-filled beings that walk in darkness. God is entirely holy and righteous (everything we are not) and cannot even look upon sin. In short, we are enemies of God if left to our own devices. 

Enemies do not give up ground easily. We do not want to leave our sin, and sin cannot be in the presence of a Holy God. Jesus paid the price for our sin with His blood so that we could be reconciled to Father. He is the ultimate mediator. 

The word mediator was coined to describe the work of Christ. 

As I studied the word mediator, I found this interesting tidbit online as to the word’s origins. It comes from the Online Etymology Dictionary “c.1300, from L.L. mediatorem (nom. mediator) “one who mediates,” from mediatus, pp. of mediari “to intervene, mediate,” also “to be or divide in the middle,” from L. medius “middle” (see medial). Originally applied to Christ, who in Christian theology “mediates” between God and man. Meaning “one who intervenes between two disputing parties” is first attested 1387. The verb mediate is first recorded 1542, probably a back-formation from mediation (c.1425) or mediator.” 

There is no mediator like Jesus. He bridges the irreconcilable differences between life and death. He provides a way across the gap between well-deserved eternal suffering in hell and the mercy of God in heaven. 

Unlike an earthly mediator who usually gets paid a fee or receives some reward, Jesus stepped up to the table and willingly laid down His own life that the irreconcilable might be reconciled. That is pretty amazing stuff. 

The word mediator appears nowhere in the Old Testament, although Job understood the concept.

Job understood that there was an impassable gap between people and God. 

For he is not a man, as I am, that I might answer him, that we should come to trial together. There is no arbiter between us, who might lay his hand on us both. Let him take his rod away from me, and let not dread of him terrify me. Then I would speak without fear of him, for I am not so in myself. Job 9:32-35

Job’s condition is the same as all of us before the mediation of Jesus; there is no one to bridge the gap between God and us. Since Christ, we can stand face to face and fellowship with the Living God because of Christ. More than that, we can be walking with Him for all of eternity. 

Until next time, praise God for Jesus. He is the ultimate in mediation and dispute resolution. 

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