MEDIATOR

A "mediator" is a "go-between" (from mesos, "middle" and eimi "to go"). Ideally, the role of a mediator is to work for the reconciliation of parties that have become estranged. (a) Moses was a mediator between God and Israel. He delivered the law to the nation on behalf of Jehovah (Jn. 1:17; Gal. 3:19). At times he pled to the Lord on behalf of his wayward people (Ex. 32:32). (b) In a sense the prophets and priests of the old covenant functioned as mediators. The Hebrews did not approach God directly in worship; rather, they worshipped through a priestly group. Too, God did not put his revelation into the minds of each Jew. The Lord spoke through the prophets. (c) The ultimate and richest fulfillment of the role of a mediator was by Christ. The Lord's role as mediator was hinted at centuries before his incarnation (cf. Job 9:32-34), and it is developed fully in the New Testament (cf. 1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 8:6; 9:15; 12:24). There are two points about Jesus' office as mediator that are of paramount significance. First, being both divine and human (Jn. 1:1, 14), he was equally related to the parties of estrangement -- the Holy God on the one hand, and sinful man on the other. Second, by his perfect life and atoning death, he satisfied the justice of God (Isa. 53:11; Rom. 3:26), and was enabled to offer salvation to those who would obey him (Heb. 2:14ff; 5:8-9).