Recently I was asked to post about the Women's Class I'm teaching on 1 & 2 Timothy at my church. Since there are so many things to share, I'm going to try to focus on something specific each week to post here. In class on Sunday, Sept. 16th, we covered 1 Tim. 1:12-2:7. One thing that I LOVE from this passage is the reference of Jesus, as our mediator, in Ch. 2 v. 5-6.
"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ; who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." 1 Timothy 2:5-6 (NKJV)
What does a mediator do? He makes intercession and serves as a 'go-between' with two or more parties. That's pretty clear and evident in the Scripture above. Maybe the bigger question is WHY do we need a mediator? One word. SIN.
Sadly, none of us is perfect. The Bible tells us all have fallen short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23) and that there is none righteous, NONE (Rom. 3:10...check out the cross references, esp. Ps. 14:1-3).
We, in our own efforts, cannot bridge the gap between sinful self and a Holy God. However, we have a beautiful savior in Jesus Christ, who was provided as a sacrifice by a loving God (Rom. 5:8). Jesus died a cruel death on a cross and arose again, conquering death, so that we could have a right relationship with our Creator and also have eternal life in Heaven.
It is clear in Timothy, and also echoed elsewhere in Scripture, that Jesus is our mediator. I particularly love the descriptions the book of Hebrews provides for Jesus as our Mediator. Here are a couple of verses:
"Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him (Jesus) seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them." Heb. 7:25 (KJV)
"And for this cause He (Jesus) is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament (Old Testament Law, pre-Christ), they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance." Heb. 9:15 (KJV)
As born again believers in Christ Jesus, we have direct communion with God because of Jesus' work on the cross. Barriers are removed, veils are torn in two (Matt. 27:51). We no longer need a priest or human mediator. God, in the flesh as Jesus, opened that way for us. Our challenge is to fully utilize our direct connection to God, His strength and power, for His glory in our daily lives. May you find great joy in these truths and the diligence to live daily for the Lord!
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