If you had an issue, a difficulty, or a legal problem with someone important, someone who held rank or stature far above you, or perhaps you needed to ask a favor of them, you might seek another person to act as a go-between, someone who was known to that other person, and who they held in high esteem. This person would act as a mediator between you both, and depending on what the issue was, and who the problem was with, you might not stand a chance of seeing it resolved unless you had that mediator, that go-between. You may be fortunate to never have a need for such a person in your life, but when the day comes when we will stand before God for the final judgment, we will all need a mediator, someone who is able and willing to plead our case. Let’s look into our Scripture for today and see who is able to be that mediator.
As our Scripture passage opens, the Apostle Paul is writing a letter to Timothy, a young man who Paul has taken under his wing to teach and guide to be a pastor and man of God. First, Paul instructs Timothy in how important prayer for others is, especially for those who are our leaders and who are in authority (vs. 1-3). Corporate prayer by the believers with each other should be an important part of our church services. These can be prayers for our own needs, intercession for others, and giving thanks to God for His blessings and for answered prayers. Paul specifically mentions that believers need to pray for their political leaders, and this holds true whether we are in agreement with them or not. They desperately need our prayers, especially if we feel they are making unwise or ungodly decisions.
As Paul continues, he tells us that God desires that everyone would be saved (vs. 4). God wants everyone to be saved, but that doesn’t mean all will be saved, because there will be many who reject Jesus (Matthew 25:41-46; John 12:44-50; Hebrews 10:26-29). God does not rejoice in having to judge and punish the wicked, but wishes to redeem those who believe in His Son as Savior (II Peter 3:9). Jesus is the only way to be saved. Salvation through Jesus Christ is offered to all people, but unfortunately not everyone will accept it.
We are then told how we are able to approach the all-holy and all-powerful God, for as weak and sinful creatures we are not able to approach Him on our own. That privilege was broken at the Fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. There is only one Person who can be our Mediator, and stand between us and God. There is only one who can bring us together again, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ, who is both God and man (vs. 5).
Jesus acts as a Mediator between individuals and God. A price was paid so that we may be released from the bondage of sin. This price was paid through the death of our Mediator, Jesus Christ. Jesus’ death was a voluntary sacrifice on His part (vs 6). He paid the price owed by man to God, which was His Precious Blood (I Peter 1:18-20). Through His death believers are given open access to God the Father through His Son, Jesus Christ.
A mediator can only be really effective if they have sympathy and understanding of both parties, and if they are understandable by and clear to both. Jesus is able to be that effective Mediator because He is both truly God and truly man (vs. 5). Jesus is not just some good teacher or person to look up to, but God Himself who became our Mediator. This truth is a key foundation for the Christian faith, that there is one God, manifested in three Persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
On that day which is surely coming in the future for each of us, when we stand before the Lord God, will you have access to that Mediator through a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, God’s one and only Son? God desires you to be saved, and when you accept Jesus’ death on your behalf, you will then have a sure Mediator on your behalf.
No comments:
Post a Comment