Past Perfect_Perfect Mediator
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The Bible tells us that there is only one God and that there is only one mediator between God and mankind, Jesus Christ. In this Easter sermon, we will explore Jesus' role as mediator and see that although Jesus is the perfect mediator, we are not guaranteed a perfect outcome. We must receive the grace that is freely offered to us in order to be truly reconciled to God.
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Past Perfect_Perfect Mediator
- 2. First Point Jesus is the one mediator between God and mankind. 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 9:15
- 3. The Real Story this week
- 4. 1 Timothy 2 5For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
- 5. Hebrews 9:15 15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance— now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.
- 6. Second Point Jesus’ odd statement to Mary reveals His mission as mediator. Read John 20:11-18
- 7. John 20:17 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
- 8. Romans 8:34 “Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.”
- 9. Third Point Having the perfect mediator is not a guarantee of a perfect outcome. Romans 10:8-11
- 10. John 1 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
Editor's Notes
- Throughout this series, we have been considering the perfection of Jesus in a variety of roles. We began by looking at Jesus as the perfect man. We saw that he was perfect in His essence, being born without sin, the full expression of what mankind had intended for humanity. And we saw that he lived a life of complete obedience to God, a life of sinless perfection. We also saw that Jesus was the perfect redeemer. In taking on human flesh, he became a brother to us, a kinsman redeemer who brought us into God’s family. On Good Friday we focused on how Jesus was the perfect substitute, the lamb of God who takes away our sins and the sins of all who seek him. And this Easter morning we want to consider the unique position of Jesus as a mediator between sinful humanity and a holy God. In the past few weeks we have seen how Jesus is God’s perfect choice for a job beyond any other person.
- First Point Jesus is the one mediator between God and mankind. A mediator is one who stands between disputing parties. When I was a kid growing up in Long Island, NY we were constantly creating clubs. I remember one club we created had to do with hunting for frogs and salamanders in the “sump”. That’s what we New Yorkers called retention ponds. We formed a sump club. Our purpose statement was to climb the fences around all the sumps in our neighborhood and capture specimens from each. Like all of our clubs, the first hurdle was brutal. Who was going to be President of the Sump Club and who would have to settle for Vice President. My friend Neal and I fought over those two positions with every club we conceived. And then there was Kenny. He wasn’t a native Long Islander… he was born in Moline. Maybe he inherited some Midwestern good sense, because Kenny always took the role of the mediator. He helped us to resolve our conflicts so we could get to the really important stuff, like hunting frogs and salamanders. Trivial conflicts can be mediated by children. However, in the adult world, the stakes are much higher.
- This week a story in the news captured my attention. Have you ever noticed how the media so often misses the really big story? The media’s focus this week: the release of the Mueller report. The really big story… This Thursday North Korea tested a new tactical weapon that could be used to deliver a nuclear weapon. As a diversion, the North Korean dictator rejected Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as a negotiator in future talks. Jong Un blamed Pompeo for the failure of the previous summit with President Trump, claiming that Pompeo was too hard line. In other words, he sees the President as the softer target and wants to cut out the man in the middle. As far as I’m concerned, this is the big story in the news. My opinion… it is highly unlikely that President Trump will sideline the chief mediator of American foreign policy to accommodate a dictator. There is only one Secretary of State.
- In 1 Timothy 2 the Apostle Paul makes an important assertion concerning Jesus. 5For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. As Christians, we read these opening words rather matter of factly… there is one God. However, this was not a widely accepted belief in the first century. The Greeks and Romans were polytheists, they believed in many gods. And a growing number of philosophers rejected the gods and were atheists, believing in no god. I would say that just as this was not a settled on belief in the first century, it is no longer an established and embraced belief in the 21st century. Many continue to believe in many paths to glory. Large countries like India are overwhelmingly polytheistic, believing in over 900 million gods, almost as many gods as people! And we see in our own country the growth of atheism and apathy, those who reject the belief in one God and those who aren’t motivated to figure it out. I want to call your attention to another key word in this verse. It’s the word ransom. On Calvary’s cross, Jesus gave himself for us. This point is also established by the author of Hebrews.
- In Hebrews 9:15 we read: 15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. Notice that once again Jesus role as THE mediator is explained in terms of the ransom that he has paid. But also notice the words in green. Paul told Timothy that Jesus “gave himself” as a ransom. The author of Hebrews explains this giving more graphically… he has died as a ransom. Before we can truly understand the empty tomb, we must understand the necessity of the cross. Who are the disputing parties in need of a mediator? It is God who brings the charges against us. His dispute is with you and me. Our sin has separated us from Him. We have rebelled against the King of Heaven… a king with the means to deliver swift and brutal judgment. However, God sent His son Jesus to earth as the perfect mediator. Jesus’ disciples and people closest to Jesus did not comprehend the role that he had as Secretary of Heaven, Heaven’s top mediator. They fled from his cross. They thought that all that he represented was now lost. And as they learned that he was laid in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, they thought it to be the end of their faith. How could there be a Christianity with a dead Christ? Perhaps their trying to come to terms with Jesus’ death looked something like this.
- Second Point Jesus’ odd statement to Mary reveals his mission. 11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”She turned and said to him in Aramaic,[b] “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her. For a moment, let’s reflect on just one moment in this great resurrection narrative. Mary thinks that Jesus’ body has been stolen. She is crying, probably her vision is blurred, or even miraculously obscured as the risen Jesus often did. For whatever reason, she does not know that it is Jesus before her. But when the risen Jesus spoke her name, Mary knew who He was, and she did what any loving follower would do… she embraced Jesus. Her reaction is normal, but Jesus makes an odd statement that seems a bit hard to understand.
- 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Without properly understanding this verse, Jesus almost comes across as have low EQ… a lack of emotional intelligence. Why would he be so aloof from one who loved him so sincerely? However, there is more going on in this verse. Bible commentator Merrill Tenney points out that the Greek construction of the phrase “Do not cling to me does not in any way rebuke the initial embrace. A better translation would be “Don’t keep clinging to me.” Mary is holding onto Jesus for dear life. She is holding on as if she would never let go. Jesus uses this as a teaching opportunity. He was always looking for an opportunity to help his followers understand his mission. Jesus would not be staying on earth. His mission included an ascension to heaven. This was something that Mary needed to understand, as did his disciples. Jesus’ work of mediation requires Him to return to his rightful place in heaven. The apostle Paul describes Jesus’ current role in Heaven.
- “Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” This is one of the most encouraging texts in all of God’s Word. It tells us that Jesus is pulling for us. He is advocating on our behalf. Paul also reminds us that “If God is for us, who can be against us!” As we consider Jesus’ journey from Calvary’s cross to heaven’s throne room, we often consider just one perspective… the earthbound perspective. We consider how Peter, and Mary and Thomas felt about Jesus’ death and resurrection. But there is a second perspective, the perspective of heaven. What did God feel as he viewed the suffering of His Son? How did a loving Father react to Jesus cry of dereliction, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” And how did the angels react when the Prince of Heaven returned to His place at His Father’s side. Let’s consider both perspectives:
- Third Point Having the perfect mediator is not a guarantee of a perfect outcome. We have seen that Jesus is the perfect mediator. As someone who is 100% God and 100% man, he has the right credentials. As someone who is seated at the right hand of God in heaven, He has the perfect location… he lives in Heaven’s throne room, always ready to speak on our behalf. However, the Bible is very clear that God has done all that is needed, but that we have a responsibility to accept the work of the mediator on our behalf. 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim);9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” Right now, Kim Jong Un has an opportunity for peace with the US and the freedom loving nations of the world. A mediator with the highest of credentials has been sent to broker a peace deal between he and President Trump. But rather than accepting the terms of that offer of peace, he is rejecting the one mediator who has the authority to broker that deal. Although Mr. Pompeo is highly trained, skilled and qualified, he cannot broker a peace deal unilaterally. Such a deal requires action on the part of the North Korean leader. In the same way, God has sent Jesus to you… the perfect mediator. God the Father has absolute trust in His Son. If Jesus forgives your sins, you will have peace with God. It’s not a maybe… it’s a done deal. Jesus rose, and in doing so he defeated death and he defeated sin. He rendered that which separates you from God ineffective. However, it is a grace that must be received.
- In John 1:11-13, the apostle John writes: 11 He came to his own,[b] and his own people[c] did not receive him.12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. Notice that John describes two groups of people, those who did not receive Jesus and those that did. His own people rejected Him. They refused their Messiah, their deliver and suffered eternal consequence in doing so. But those who received him received the gift of eternal life. This Easter Sunday marks the day that Jesus’ rose from the dead. This could also be your resurrection Sunday. This could be the day that you nail your sins to Jesus’ cross. This could be the day that you cling to Jesus as Mary did. It could be the day that you are born of God. The Bible tells us that there is no better day than today to receive God’s salvation.
- Let’s Pray.