“How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause, he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.” (Hebrews 9:14-15)
Since the fall of the first man, Adam, all people have entered the world separated from the Holy God. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12). Sin is the problem that stands in the way between humanity and God, and for this we all deserve God’s wrath “for the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men” (Romans 2:3). Because of this reality, sinful man is at enmity with God and has been unable to approach Him without going through a mediator. A mediator acts as a “go-between” and works as a link between two parties to reconcile their differences.
Under the old covenant, Moses was used by God to be a mediator between Him and His chosen people, the Israelites. Moses entered God’s presence on behalf of the children of Israel, interceding as their representative. “And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not. And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was. And the Lord said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven” (Exodus 20:18-22). But this couldn’t stand forever. Moses and the others of priestly vocation who succeeded his office as mediator were ultimately insufficient. “And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins” (Hebrews 10:11). Instead, this form of mediation pointed to a better, new covenant. “For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw night unto God” (Hebrews 7:19).
Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God, entered as the perfect mediator. Fully God, yet wholly man, Jesus is the only one equipped to stand in the gap between God and man once for all. Join me in a walk through the Scriptures that outline this beautiful truth and offer thanksgiving to our Lord for His unspeakable gift.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1).
“And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17).
“Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honor than the house. For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end” (Hebrews 3:1-6).
“By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering, he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified” (Hebrews 10:10-14).
“But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel” (Hebrews 12:22-24).
“To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:19-21).
Written by NBB Alumna: Rachel Sheppard
