"For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all...."
1 Timothy 2:5, 6.
Mediator? What's a mediator? Surprisingly, that word is not found in Webster's New World Dictionary. With the exception of the New King James Version of the Bible, you can't find it in the Old Testament, either. The NKJV uses the word "mediator" in Job 9:33. In that particular verse the King James Version employs "daysman," and the New International Version says "someone to arbitrate," which appears more like an interpretation rather than a translation. The word is recorded 6 times in the New Testament: Galatians 3:19, 20; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 8:6; 9:15; 12:24. Moses is the mediator mentioned in Galatians. Jesus is the Mediator in 1 Timothy and Hebrews.
A mediator is an intermediary, a go-between. In 1 Timothy 2:5 the Mediator is "between God and men." The Mediator is "the Man Christ Jesus."
The Need for a Mediator
Men and women need a mediator because of the fact of sin. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23. Sin may not weigh heavily on the hearts of many people, some actually rejoicing in their iniquity, but it has severe consequences. It creates a chasm between man and God. The prophet Isaiah put it this way: "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you...." Isaiah 59:2.
Sinners are described as "alienated (from God) and enemies (of God)...by wicked works." Colossians 1:21. They are in a state of enmity against God. Romans 8:9. The wrath of God hangs over their heads. "Because of these things (the sins of the flesh) the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience." Colossians 3:6. What a fearful situation to suffer the wrath of God and be eternally separated from Him! "Do you think this, O man, ...that you will escape the judgment of God?" Romans 2:3.
There needs to be a mutual change between sinful man and this holy God. The sinner's hostility toward God and waywardness from Him must be changed. A change of attitude and direction is absolutely necessary. A removal of God's displeasure against sinners must also occur. Instead of God's wrath there must be reconciliation. Because of His holiness God cannot be indifferent to sin. To bring about this change there must be a mediator.
The Qualifications of a Mediator
Not just anyone can be a mediator. He must be qualified to represent mankind as a man. The Mediator is none other than "the Man Christ Jesus." He isn't "the Savior Christ Jesus," or "the King Christ Jesus," but "the Man."
We know that Adam was the first man, and that he disobeyed God in the garden. His sin had great significance upon all mankind. In Romans 5:12 we read, "Through one man (Adam) sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned (in Adam)...." Also, "For by one man's offense death reigned.... Therefore, ...through one man's offense judgment came to all men.... For...by one man's disobedience many were made sinners." Romans 5:17-19. The consequences of Adam's sin is shared by all mankind.
It was necessary that the Mediator was more than one individual among many, like a link in a chain. He had to serve as man's representative. Adam represented man as "the first man." The Man Christ Jesus is "the last Adam, ...the second Man." 1 Corinthians 15:45, 47.
The Man Christ Jesus was already one with the Father. John 10:30. Jesus is both the Son of God and Son of Man. Though "born of a woman" He was "the image of the invisible God." Galatians 4:4; Colossians 1:15. The Man Christ Jesus is the only one qualified to be the Mediator between God and man.
The Work of the Mediator
The Mediator, the Man Christ Jesus, "gave Himself a ransom for all." 1 Timothy 2:6. According to Matthew 20:28, "the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
Throughout the centuries theologians have speculated, "To whom did Jesus pay the ransom?" A foolish question! He didn't pay a ransom to anyone. The word ransom is a metaphor, expressing the tremendous cost of our redemption. In giving Himself we have been redeemed, "bought with a price." 1 Corinthians 6:20; 7:23. Our redemption has come at a great price, that is, "with the precious blood of Christ." 1 Peter 1:19. The ransom of Himself had the value to God of the punishment of sinners in virtue of His oneness with all humanity. Sinful man, alienated from God and hostile to God, undeservingly has been reconciled to God through Christ's sacrifice of Himself upon the cross.
Objectively, God ceases to reckon to men their sins on the basis of what Christ did at Calvary, where He died for our sins. "Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ...that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself...." 2 Corinthians 5:18, 19. Subjectively, the message of reconciliation is preached, "We implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God." 2 Corinthians 5:20.
The Mediator has done His work of redemption and reconciliation. With reconciliation comes the relinquishing of God's wrath without which there can be no restoration of peaceful relations between God and man. The Mediator between God and man has made peace through the blood of His cross.
One Mediator
There is only "one Mediator between God and men," not two, or three, or more. Only one! He is "the Man Christ Jesus." Sinful man can only come to God through the Son. He is the only way to the Father. In no uncertain terms Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6.
This message is not popular. It wasn't popular in Rome during the first century. The Romans were polytheistic. They probably would have accepted Jesus as a prophet or one of many gods. The early Christians were persecuted and many were martyred, because they were believers in the Way, the Jesus Way. For example, at Ephesus "there arose a great commotion about the Way." Acts 19:23.
Today we live in an age of pluralism, surrounded by supermarkets of faiths. The world has become a global village. Some religions have incorporated Jesus Christ into their beliefs, usually as a prophet or great teacher. They do not accept Him as the sole Mediator between God and man. They deny His deity and vicarious death upon the cross for our sins.
Some of liberal persuasion are of the opinion that "Christianity should be purged of the traditional western belief that Christianity is unique," a view espoused by the English historian, Arnold J. Toynbee.
But Christianity is unique. Its uniqueness is found in the Man Christ Jesus. Apart from Christianity and Jesus Christ, do you know of a God whose love extends to burdening Himself with the sins and guilt of mankind? On the cross God did for every sinful human being what no one else has done or could do.
Why should you believe this? There is only one answer. Because it's true. Today you can accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Mediator, your Savior, your Lord. Be reconciled to God!
