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Jesus as Mediator

Mediators are gifted individuals who can intervene in disputes and bring about a mutually acceptable resolution. Mediation is necessary in all kinds of situations from family quarrels to international politics. A mediator is usually called in after the two parties attempts at negotiating an agreement between themselves have failed. It is his or her job to bring the sides together voluntarily before the court, or a court appointed arbitrator, steps in with a completely independent ruling.

Two passages in the New Testament identify Jesus as the mediator between God and humanity. Paul wrote that “there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time.” 1 Timothy 2:5-6 NIV

In the letter to the Hebrews, we read about the blood of Christ which He voluntarily shed to “cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” It goes on to say that “for this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.” Hebrews 9:14-15 NIV

When I think about Jesus as the mediator, I am impressed by his personal investment in the process. Most mediators invest some time, skill and effort to bring the two warring factions together. But by definition, mediators are to be independent disinterested third parties. They would not, for example, put their personal wealth on the line in an attempt to get an agreement.

While Jesus is clearly identified as the mediator between God and humanity, He was not what you would call independent and disinterested. As equally the “Son of Man” and the “Son of God” He had bonds with each party. And He had a compelling interest in bringing reconciliation between sinful people and their offended God. He had created them to glorify God, would He now stand by and passively witness their wholesale destruction? He would not.

As both God and man, He understood what was at stake. As a man, He never succumbed to temptation, but He knew first-hand what it was. Hebrews 4:15 tells us that “we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.” (NIV) As God, He knew what it was to be rejected in the most personal way imaginable by those He made and loved. “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.” (John 1:11 NIV) This “not receiving Him” is an understatement. When Pilate said to the Jews, “Behold your King,” they cried out, “‘Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!’ Pilate said to them, ‘Shall I crucify your King?’ The chief priests answered, ‘We have no king but Caesar!’” So Jesus fully knew the impact of the human sin of rebellion against God.

Through His death, Jesus did what was otherwise undoable. He took our sin on Himself and died, thus satisfying the demands of God’s holy justice. He also accounted His own righteousness to all who believe, thus addressing their deep spiritual need of holiness to fit them for God’s presence.

Jesus has a unique claim to the title “mediator.” He is truly the One through whom reconciliation between God and humanity has come.

Ron Hughes
© December 2007