Jesus – The Only Mediator
Some ask the question: How can I approach God as a sinner? Wouldn’t it be better if I ask a priest to mediate? The Bible teaches: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). Only through Jesus can the sinner be reconciled to God (John 14:5–6; Romans 5:1–2).
Christ is the path from earth to heaven. By His humanity, He reaches earth, and by His divinity He reaches heaven. He is the ladder linking earth and heaven (John 1:51). Because of His incarnation and death “a new and living way” has been consecrated for us (Hebrews 10:20). There is no other means of salvation (Acts 4:12).
Jesus is the only Mediator because He redeemed us with His own blood. “(He) gave himself a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:6). And He alone lived a perfect sinless life (1 Peter 2:22). No other man has done what Christ did, therefore, no one qualifies to mediate. Only Christ qualifies to be our Mediator before the Father.
The truth is that God does not need to be reconciled to man, for it was His “will” (1 Timothy 2:4) that initiated the plan of salvation (John 3:16). In addition, He provided the means of salvation through His Son’s life and death (Romans 5:10). Thus, there is no need of human mediators (priests or saints) and the supposed value that some churches have attached to such mediation.
Our High Priest
The Bible tells us, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Having, through His human nature, experienced the weaknesses that are common to man—though without sin—Christ is fully sympathetic with the problems and difficulties that the sincere Christian has to face.
In fact, one purpose of the incarnation was that Deity might come so close to humanity as to experience the very same problems and infirmities that are our common lot. By so doing, Christ is more than qualified to become our High Priest and to represent us before the Father. We have a Savior who can understand our nature and can be merciful to us.
Approach God Without a Priest
The Bible teaches, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16; Romans 3:24; 1 Corinthians 1:3). Instead of useless, tedious efforts to gain salvation by a stern adherence to the requirements of the legal system of Judaism, or, for that matter, any system of righteousness by works, the believer has the right of free admission to the throne of a loving Father in order to obtain the forgiveness for his sins (1 John 1:9). The sinner’s only hope is God’s mercy, offered while probation lasts.
Let the sinner know that God’s grace (John 1:14; Romans 1:7; 3:24; 1 Corinthians 1:3) is available in his time of need, that is, in time of temptation. For he needs grace to endure trials and persecution, and grace to triumph over temptation. If he daily connects to Christ through the study of His Word and prayer, he will receive all the power and wisdom that he needs to enter the “rest” of soul God has provided for him.
Therefore let the sinner approach God directly through Jesus Christ, without an intermediary; and trusting in His mercy, he may “boldly” claim His promise that says, “If you ask anything in My name, I will do it” (John 14:14). And the Savior is faithful to His promises. He declares: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Matthew 24:35).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
