The Outward Means of Christ's Mediation in Scripture

The Biblical Basis of Christ's Mediation

The concept of Christ as mediator between God and humanity is rooted in several key biblical passages. The writer of Hebrews describes Jesus as "the mediator of a new covenant" (Hebrews 12:24) ^[3]. This role is further emphasized in 1 Timothy 2:5, which states, "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" ^{[4, 5]}.

The biblical concept of mediation involves intervening between two parties to reconcile them. In the Old Testament, this idea is expressed through the figure of a "daysman" or "umpire" (Job 9:33) ^[1]. Moses is also described as a mediator in Galatians 3:19, highlighting the role of intermediaries in the old covenant.

Christ's Mediatorial Office

Christ's mediatorial office is multifaceted, encompassing the roles of prophet, priest, and king. As mediator, Christ executes his kingship over his Church and all things in behalf of his Church ^[2]. This kingship is distinct from his divine sovereignty, being specifically related to his mediatorial work.

The necessity of Christ's humanity for his mediatorial office is underscored in 1 Timothy 2:5 and Hebrews 2:17. His human nature enabled him to represent humanity before God and to offer a sacrifice on their behalf ^[7].

The New Covenant and Christ's Mediation

The new covenant, mediated by Christ, is a central aspect of his redemptive work. Hebrews 8:6 and 9:15 emphasize Christ's role as mediator of this covenant, which is characterized by the forgiveness of sins and the establishment of a new relationship between God and humanity ^{[6, 10]}.

The blood of Christ, shed on the cross, is the basis for the new covenant and is described as "the sprinkled blood that speaks better than Abel's" (Hebrews 12:24) ^[3]. This blood "speaks of forgiveness" and is a key element in Christ's mediatorial work ^[13].

Historical and Theological Perspectives

The understanding of Christ's mediation has been developed throughout Christian history. The writer of Hebrews notes that Christ's mediation involves both his sacrificial death and his ongoing intercession for believers (Hebrews 7:25; 9:12, 24) ^[10]. This intercession is rooted in his priestly office, which includes making continual intercession for his people ^[8].

Various Christian traditions have emphasized different aspects of Christ's mediation. For example, the Baptist/Reformed tradition, as represented by John Gill, highlights Christ's role as servant and mediator, emphasizing his obedience and diligence in this office ^{[9, 12, 14]}.

Contrasting Views on Mediation

Different Christian traditions have nuanced understandings of Christ's mediation. For instance, the Presbyterian tradition, as seen in Jamieson, Fausset & Brown's commentary on Galatians, discusses the implications of mediation in the context of the law and the promise made to Abraham ^[15]. The Nonconformist/Puritan tradition, represented by Matthew Henry, explores the typological significance of Moses as a mediator and the glory of Christ as mediator in Revelation ^{[11, 16]}.

The biblical portrayal of Christ as mediator underscores the significance of his humanity and his redemptive work. As the one mediator between God and humanity, Christ's role is central to Christian theology and practice. The various traditions within Christianity, while differing in their emphases, affirm the crucial importance of Christ's mediation in the economy of salvation.

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Mediator — One who intervenes between two persons who are at variance, with a view to reconcile them. This word is not found in the Old Testament; but the idea it expresses is found in Job 9:33, in the word "daysman" (q.v.), marg., "umpire." This word is used in the New Testament to denote simply an internuncius, an ambassador, one who acts as a medium of communication between two contracting parties. In this sense Moses is called a mediator in Gal. 3:19. Christ is the one and only mediator between God and man (1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 8:6; 9:15; 12:24). He makes reconciliat”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Kingly office of Christ — One of the three special relations in which Christ stands to his people. Christ's office as mediator comprehends three different functions, viz., those of a prophet, priest, and king. These are not three distinct offices, but three functions of the one office of mediator. Christ is King and sovereign Head over his Church and over all things to his Church (Eph. 1:22; 4:15; Col. 1:18; 2:19). He executes this mediatorial kingship in his Church, and over his Church, and over all things in behalf of his Church. This royalty differs from that whic”
Hebrews “Hebrews 12:24 (LEB) — and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and ⌞to the sprinkled blood⌟ that speaks better than Abel’s does.”
King James Version “[KJV] 1 Timothy 2:5 — For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;”
I Timothy “I Timothy 2:5 (KJV) — For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Covenant, The — Christ, the substance of -- Isa 42:6; 49:8. Christ, the Mediator of -- Heb 8:6; 9:15; 12:24. Christ, the Messenger of -- Mal 3:1. Made with Abraham. -- Ge 15:7-18; 17:2-14; Lu 1:72-75; Ac 3:25; Ga 3:16. Isaac. -- Ge 17:19,21; 26:3,4. Jacob. -- Ge 28:13,14; 1Ch 16:16,17. Israel. -- Ex 6:4; Ac 3:25. David. -- 2Sa 23:5; Ps 89:3,4. Renewed under the gospel -- Jer 31:31-33; Ro 11:27; Heb 8:8-10,13. Fulfilled in Christ -- Lu 1:68-79. Confirmed in Christ -- Ga 3:17. Ratified by the blood of Christ -- Heb 9:11-14,16-23. Is a covenant of peace -- Isa 54:9,10; ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Human Nature of Christ, The — Was necessary to his mediatorial office -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 2:17; Ga 4:4,5; 1Co 15:21; Ro 6:15,19. Is proved by his Conception in the Virgin's womb. -- Mt 1:18; Lu 1:31. Birth. -- Mt 1:16,25; 2:2; Lu 2:7,11. Partaking of flesh and blood. -- Joh 1:14; Heb 2:14. Having a human soul. -- Mt 26:38; Lu 23:46; Ac 2:31. Circumcision. -- Lu 2:21. Increase in wisdom and stature. -- Lu 2:52. Weeping. -- Lu 19:41; Joh 11:35. Hungering. -- Mt 4:2; 21:18. Thirsting. -- Joh 4:7; 19:28. Sleeping. -- Mt 8:24; Mr 4:38. Being subject to weariness. -- Joh 4:6. ”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Intercession of Christ — Christ's priestly office consists of these two parts, (1) the offering up of himself as a sacrifice, and (2) making continual intercession for us. When on earth he made intercession for his people (Luke 23:34; John 17:20; Heb. 5:7); but now he exercises this function of his priesthood in heaven, where he is said to appear in the presence of God for us (Heb. 9:12, 24). His advocacy with the Father for his people rests on the basis of his own all-perfect sacrifice. Thus he pleads for and obtains the fulfilment of all the promises of the everlas”
Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 12:15: Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,.... These are the words of God the Father, speaking to the church, concerning Christ, as mediator; who, as such, is God's servant, employed by him, and obedient to him, in the work of man's salvation; and is a righteous, faithful, prudent, and diligent one; whom he, from all eternity, had chosen to this service, and in the fulness of time sent him to do it, and supported and upheld him in it; for it is whom I uphold, in the Hebrew text. My beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased; who always was the object of his love, not only”
Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 9:15: 9:15 the one who mediates: This term refers to an arbiter in a difficult legal dispute or political disagreement. In the old covenant, Moses and the angels were understood as mediators between God and the people (Gal 3:19-20). In the new covenant, Christ mediates the relationship between God and people by his sacrificial death (Heb 8:6; 12:24; Rom 6:23; 1 Tim 2:5; 1 Pet 3:18) and ongoing intercession (Heb 7:25).”
Exodus (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Exodus 33 (introduction): In this chapter we have a further account of the mediation of Moses between God and Israel, for the making up of the breach that sin had made between them. I. He brings a very humbling message from God to them (Exo 33:1-3, Exo 33:5), which has a good effect upon them, and helps to prepare them for mercy (Exo 33:4, Exo 33:6). II. He settles a correspondence between God and them, and both God and the people signify their approbation of that correspondence, God by descending in a cloudy pillar, and the people by worshipping at the tent doors (Exo 33:7-11”
Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 12:23: And to Jesus, the Mediator of the new covenant,.... Of the new covenant, and, of Christ's being the Mediator of it, See Gill on Heb 8:6. See Gill on Heb 8:8. Coming to Christ is by faith; and is different from a corporeal coming to him in the days of his flesh; and from an outward attendance on ordinances; it is a coming to him under a sense of want, and upon a sight of fulness; and is the produce of God's efficacious grace; and souls must come to Christ as naked sinners; and without a Mediator, without anything of their own to ingratiate them; and it is free to all”
Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 12:24: 12:24 Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant (8:7-13; 9:11-14; 10:15-18). His sprinkled blood, used as the sacrifice for sins, speaks of forgiveness. • The blood of Abel cried out to God from the ground, demanding vengeance for his murder by Cain (Gen 4:10). By contrast, Jesus’ blood cries out that the price for sins has been paid for those in the new covenant (Heb 10:16-18).”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 69:17: And hide not thy face from thy servant,.... This is a character that is frequently given to Christ as Mediator; he is a servant of God's choosing, calling, and appointing; of his sending, bringing forth, and supporting; who is an obedient, diligent, righteous, and prudent one; who always reverenced and honoured him whose servant he was, Isa 42:1; now, when he was on the cross, suffering in the room and stead of his people, his Father hid his face from him; which he here deprecates, and desires he would not continue to do, seeing he was his servant, now doing his serv”
Galatians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Galatians 3:20: "Now a mediator cannot be of one (but must be of two parties whom he mediates between); but God is one" (not two: owing to His essential unity not admitting of an intervening party between Him and those to be blessed; but as the ONE Sovereign, His own representative, giving the blessing directly by promise to Abraham, and, in its fulfilment, to Christ, "the Seed," without new condition, and without a mediator such as the law had). The conclusion understood is, Therefore a mediator cannot appertain to God; and consequently, the law, with its insepara”
Revelation (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Revelation 5:6: Here, I. The apostle beholds this book taken into the hands of the Lord Jesus Christ, in order to its being unsealed and opened by him. Here Christ is described, 1. By his place and station: In the midst of the throne, and of the four beasts, and of the elders. He was on the same throne with the Father; he was nearer to him than either the elders or ministers of the churches. Christ, as man and Mediator, is subordinate to God the Father, but is nearer to him than all the creatures; for in him all the fulness of the Godhead dwells bodily. The ministers stand bet”

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