Hello Beloved,
Let us continue our study of the names and titles for Jesus. Last month, we considered the title of Jesus as “Pioneer.” This month we will consider Jesus as “Mediator.” This word comes from the Greek “mesites.” Vines defines “mesites” as “a go-between” (from mesos, ‘middle,’ and eimi, ‘to go’), it is used in two ways in the NT, (a) ‘one who mediates’ between two parties with a view to producing peace, as in 1 Tim. 2:5 . . . (b) ‘one who acts as a guarantee’ so as to secure something which otherwise would not be obtained.”
Paul gives us an example of the first aspect of Christ as “Mediator” in 1 Timothy 2:5 when he writes, “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus”
1 Timothy 2:5 (ESV). In this passage, Paul communicates that Jesus is the One who provides salvation and redemption for humanity, and the way He does it is by being the “Mediator” or
“Go-between” in relation to God and humanity. Jesus possesses all the attributes of humanity as He came in the “likeness” of sinful flesh yet did not sin (Romans 8:3; Hebrews 4:15). As Jesus is fully God (Colossians 2:9), He was able to touch God in all His purity and holiness, and as Jesus is fully man (Hebrews 2:14-17), He is able to identify with, touch, and heal humanity. In this way, Jesus was the perfect sacrifice to bring reconciliation between God and man, paying the ransom for humanity’s sins as the vicarious substitute. This is one of the reasons that most of the heresies throughout the history of the Church have either denied the deity of Jesus Christ, such as the Arians or Jehovah’s witnesses, or they have denied the humanity of Jesus, such as the first century Docetists.
In the second use of the word “mesites,” Jesus as mediator is the “Guarantor.” This concept can be found in passages like Hebrews 8:6 and 9:15, where Jesus acts to secure the salvation that we could not obtain. The author of Hebrews writes:
6 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 8:6 (ESV)
13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. 15 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 9:13-15 (ESV)
In Hebrews 8:6, Christ’s ministry as “Mediator” is greater than that of the Aaronic priesthood because it relates to a superior covenant. In Hebrews 9:16, it is by Jesus’ mediation that the saved may receive the “eternal inheritance,” because Christ has brought redemption from transgression. Through Christ’s death as the “Mediator” or “Guarantor,” He obtained the “eternal inheritance” that we could not obtain for ourselves.
Consider this illustration in conclusion:
Hendrik W. van der Merwe was born June 24, 1929 in rural South Africa. He grew up in a Quaker home and received his Bachelor's degree in 1956 and his Master's degree in sociology in 1957 from the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa. He was awarded the Ph.D. in Sociology in 1963, from the University of California, Los Angeles. In 1963, he returned to South Africa to teach sociology at Rhodes University in Grahamstown.
He began pioneering the development of conflict resolution and peace studies in South Africa. In 1981, he organized the first training courses in handling community conflicts. He soon became one of the leading white leaders in the anti-apartheid movement.
He developed strong ties with the Mandela family and visited Nelson Mandela in prison. He eventually mediated Nelson's release. He mediated in local, regional and national conflicts, including between Inkatha and the United Democratic Front in Natal in 1985-86 and he arranged the first meetings between the ANC and the Afrikaner Freedom Foundation in 1992.
Hendrik's life was characterized by straightforward honesty and passionate moral convictions. His courageous work against apartheid and his great skill as a mediator contributed significantly to South Africa's peaceful transformation to democracy.
In Jesus Christ, we have a mediator who is superior to any mediator that has ever or will ever live. For Christ has mediated the difference between sinful man and Holy God by giving His life as a Holy Sacrifice. (Peter Kennedy . . . Preaching Illustrations Vol 1.)
Until next time this is Pastor Daniel writing, “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”