A mediator can also be the negotiator of an agreement. After the agreement is made, he can then witness to its content and serve as the administrator or guarantor to make sure its provisions are followed. A mediator needs legal authority and recognized power to function effectively.
The concept of mediation is found throughout Sacred Scripture, but the actual term, mediator, seldom appears. The Hebrew verb meaning "to decide" is used in the sense of mediation. "What is my offense, what is my crime that you have set on me? You have gone through all my belongings; have you found anything belonging to your House? Produce it here in the presence of my brothers and yours, and let them decide between the two of us. - Gen. 31:37 -
Later in the Jewish history the usage of mediation became associated with the office of the priest, who stands between God and man in spiritual matters. The term was also applied to the prophet, who serves as intermediary in giving God's word to man, and the king, who serves as mediator administrator between God and men in government. These officers discharged their duties against the background of God's Covenant with men expressed in the Law.
The central role of the Covenant made Moses the supreme mediator in the Old Testament. Moses was the sole human mediator of the Sinai Covenant. And to some extent Moses assumed all three offices during his life. He offered sacrifice, consecrated the priestly house of Aaron, and interceded for the nation. He spoke the word of God as prophet and administered government for the nation. Moses is the figure whom the New Testament compares with the Lord Jesus Christ as Mediator of the New Covenant.
'Speak to us yourself' they said to Moses 'and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, or we shall die.' Moses answered the people, 'Do not be afraid; God has come to test you, so that your fear of him, being always in your mind, may keep you from sinning.' So the people kept their distance while Moses approached the dark cloud where God was. Yahweh said to Moses, 'Tell the sons of Israel this', You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven. You shall not make gods of silver or gods of gold to stand beside me; you shall not make things like this for yourselves. - Exodus 20:19-23 -
That is why all you who are holy brothers and have had the same heavenly call should turn your minds to Jesus, the apostle and the high priest of our religion. He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just like Moses who stayed faithful in all his house; but he has been found to deserve a greater glory than Moses. It is the difference between the honour given to the man that built the house and to the house itself. Every house is built by someone, of course; but God built everything that exists. It is true that Moses was faithful in the house of God, as a servant, acting as witness to the things which were to be divulged later; but Christ was faithful as a son, and as the master in the house. And we are his house, as long as we cling to our hope with the confidence that we glory in. - Heb. 3:1-6 -
From the New Testament perspective, there is ultimately only 'one Mediator between God to man'. Jesus the Messiah. He alone, being fully God, can represent God to man, and at the same time, being fully man, can represent man to God. Jesus alone can bring complete reconciliation because He alone can bring about complete payment for human being's sin and satisfaction of God's wrath. Jesus alone can bring everlasting love, joy, and peace. Remember, we believe that we are saved: through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.
You have come to God himself, the supreme Judge, and been placed with the spirits of the saints who have been made perfect; and to Jesus, the mediator who brings a new covenant and a blood for purification which pleads more insistently than Abel's. - Heb. 12:24 -
To do what is right, and will please God our saviour: he wants everyone to be saved and reach full knowledge of the truth. For there is only one God, and there is only one mediator between God and mankind, himself a man. Christ Jesus, who sacrificed himself as a ransom for them all. - 1Tim. 2:4-6 - Acts 15:11; 2Cor. 5:18-20; Eph. 1:7 -
Speaking the words of God, Jesus fulfills the prophetic office. -John 14:24 - As High Priest over the house of God. He sacrificed Himself to secure our redemption and continues to intercede on our behalf. Even our prayers are presented to God "through Jesus mediation" And He is also "Kings of Kings" having "all authority in heaven and on earth." - Rom. 1:8, 8:34; Heb. 3:1-6, 7:25, 9:24, 13:15; 1John 2:1; Matt. 28:18, Phil.2:9-11; Rev. 19:11-16 -
The Christian never need to worry about the certainty of God salvation. The Mediator is able to save to the uttermost those who repented and come to God through the Lord Jesus Christ. "It follows, then, that his power to save is utterly certain, since he is living for ever to intercede for all who come to God through him." - Heb 7:25 -
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Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
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