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The Superior Mediation of Jesus

Moses and the priests of the Lord mediated the Old Covenant, a revelation of God’s usage of mediation.  Even though they were mediators God used, the author of Hebrews describes their inferiority to Jesus as a mediator.  Jesus was better than Moses and the priests (Hebrews 4:14-10:18).  However, He was still a mediator.

The author of Hebrews argues for the New Covenant because of Jesus’ superior mediation.  In so doing, he explains why Jesus was better as a mediator.  First, God uses mediation.  Second, Jesus is the best.  Third, Jesus is a model then for mediation.  Hebrews then also gives qualities that hurt or harm mediation.

You want a mediator like Jesus.  Look for the qualities of Jesus in a mediator of relationships.  Hebrews manifests Jesus as identifying with those He represents in mediation.  Jesus became like men.  Mediators do not sit above the two parties.  They identify with both parties.  Mediation probably will not occur when one party sits above the other and dictates the terms.

The Qualities of Jesus’ Mediation

A mediator does not elevate himself above and talk down to either party in a dispute, and especially only one.  He sympathizes with both.  The goal isn’t a comeuppance for one party.  He wants reconciliation between the two and a restored relationship.

The Lord Jesus Christ came to earth as a man to reconcile man to God.  He loves both the Father and men.  Jesus shows compassion to men.  Hebrews shows Him as an approachable high priest (Hebrews 4:6).  1 John portrays him as an advocate.  In Luke 15, Jesus is the good shepherd, who goes out searching for the lost sheep.

In the relationship between man and God, man repents and confesses to God.  Man alone offended God, not vice versa.  God has nothing to confess.  God also has nothing for man to forgive.  He forgives the repentant sinner.

Between Man and Man

Between man and man, very often both parties require repentance, confession, and forgiveness.  It may be that only one side sees himself as the aggrieved and offended one.  If both parties offended the other, reconciliation might not occur unless both sides will agree to have done that.  The neutral mediator expedites a hearing from and for both sides.

Sometimes the process of reconciliation starts with only one party admitting wrong.  The other takes the role of sitting in judgment and above the other person.  Reconciliation most often will not occur when one side holds on to resentment with the other.  He cannot admit wrong, because none of it was his fault.

One party may see forgiveness as a way to avoid accountability.  The only terms for reconciliation are his terms.  A mediator can and should bridge that gap.  Maybe only one side really did offend the other.  That would be like God and man.  The mediator still helps the two sides come together.  Philemon offended Onesimus and Paul initiated the path back for Philemon.

The Bible requires forgiveness for repentance.  It is as serious in scripture not to forgive as it is not to repent.  Except a man repents, he will perish (Luke 13:3, 5).  Except a man forgives, he will perish (Matthew 18:21-35).  In many places, forgiveness of man is a prerequisite for forgiveness from God (Matthew 6:12, 14-15, Mark 11:25-26, Luke 6:37).

The willingness to forgive is forbearance.  Before that, I believe it is true that a willingness for mediation is forbearance.  He so wants reconciliation that he will submit to the judgment of someone other than himself.

We Can’t Solve Every Problem

Early in my adult life, I thought I could solve every problem.  I had God.  I had the Bible.  It did not take too long for me to understand that I could not do it on my own.  I needed someone else to intervene.

Matthew 18:15-20, the church discipline passage, like others in the New Testament, works with a baseball analogy.  Strike three and you are out.  You tried three times to have a conversation for the purpose of reconciliation.  With every conversation, the situation escalated.  The two parties cannot talk without mediation.

Sometimes one of the sides will not submit to mediation.  You might not be able to resolve that relationship.  A believer can pray that God will work.  He will.  God will work, but a person still must acquiesce to the work of God in his life.  Some will not.

I am less surprised now that men reject mediation.  People you think would accept mediation very often will not.  I want to mediate between two parties who want reconciliation.  I am thankful for other men who will do the same.  Blessed are the peacemakers.

More to Come