YOU NEED A MEDIATOR

 

A mediator is an individual who plays the role of a go-between, helping bring reconciliation between adversaries or individuals with disagreements. When kids, for example, get into fights over toys, a responsible adult might need to settle the issue; that’s mediation. When friends get into bitter disagreements, they risk losing the friendship, but with the help of a neutral party, differences can be resolved and the friendship saved. Couples face similar situations, and without a good mediator, the relationship could easily end in a divorce.

I think I can safely assume that every adult has, at some point in their life, been a go-between, or needed one, to help resolve issues. If the mediator is not successful, the feuding parties will just go on with life the best way they know-how. What skills would one look for in a mediator? That individual must be wise, kind, caring, fair, and unbiased.

Aside from human relationships, there is a God-man relationship that also needs mediation. You might wonder why. God has an issue with man; man has sinned against God, leading to a separation between the two. God’s response to this situation is this: sin has to be paid for to restore the relationship. For this purpose, Jesus, the Son of God, came and died to pay the penalty for our sins. Thus, He became the Mediator between God and man: “There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone” (1 Timothy 2:5-6 NLT). Needless to say, He has all the qualities one would look for in a mediator, and then some.

Jesus Himself declared his role as the Mediator during a discussion with Thomas, one of the disciples. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6 NLT). Jesus’ response means that anyone who would like to have a relationship with God the Father has to come through Him Jesus is the only sinless one who sacrificed His life on our behalf; none of the other religious leaders people claim to follow did anything to appease God’s wrath against us. The Scriptures tell us, “Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22 NLT). Nobody can experience God’s forgiveness without blood being shed, and since Jesus is the only one who died in our place, He is the only one who can save us. Depending on any other religious leader for salvation is a waste of time, and in the end, will only send a person to hell!  

Concerning Jesus, when Peter addressed the Jewish authorities who complained about a crippled man being healed in the name of Jesus, he told them, “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12 NLT). Jesus is the only Mediator God accepts on behalf of men; nobody else will do!

There are many people who think they can go to God through other means, channels, or religions. However, everyone needs a God-appointed Mediator. What’s your expectation? Do you hope to have a restored relationship with God? How do you plan to attain that? Have you accepted Jesus’ sacrifice on your behalf? Are you trusting your good deeds or some other religion? None of those will do you any good. Jesus is the only Mediator!

If you are putting your trust in anything or person other than Jesus, you’re mistaken. It must be disappointing to be wrong but thank God you found out sooner rather than later when it could be too late to get on the right path. See, after you die, the opportunity to get saved will die with you. It will be too late. All who turn their backs on Jesus will have to answer to God on their own behalf (see Revelation 20:12-13). The verdict will be very clear: “Anyone whose name was not found in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15 NLT).     

It hurts me to think this will be happening to many, many people, but if you are reading this, you have some time. But how much time? Nobody has an answer to this question, which is why it is wise to call on Jesus today; tomorrow could be too late. The Scriptures clearly state, “Just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him” (Hebrews 9:27-28 NLT).

Please don’t wait any longer. Ask God to forgive your sins and make you His child! And as His child, seek to know and obey Him through reading His Word, the Bible. Seek fellowship with other believers in a Bible-believing church. May God bless you.