Jesus is our mediator: for you and me yes but for us and God. We may think some are not worth praying for. I’m glad Jesus didn’t think that way. He didn’t say there is no use to die for this one or that one. There is no use to mediate for this person. No. He doesn’t do that. All things are possible through the mediation of Jesus. We all need him as Savior. Our trust in him is on going.
Can God get along with us all the time? We need a mediator to close the vacuum between us and God. This is what we want to look at.
I Timothy 2:I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
The value of our Savior–there are so many titles to give him. Jesus is all the world. That’s a general statement. What does it mean? Why do we talk about him or read the Bible all the time? Well, it’s necessary. We need to think of him but we should want to do it. We need him everyday and want him by our side. Without him we are a target for the snares and wiles of the devil. We need him as a mediator. To have the Father is only possible through the mediation of Jesus.
Mediation/mediator is a legal term. When two parties have differences that neither one can settle mediation is needed. The business world uses this a lot as do divorce court attorneys and judges. It’s not just finding common ground but coming to a settlement. Both parties agree to it. I’m glad I’m not a legal person or a mediator. I’ve had to do it some in my ministry with couples and families. Some of my toughest experiences are these. I quickly learned I’m not a mediator. BUT Jesus is. A mediator looks at each side and will do whatever he can to reconcile the two sides. Our account with God was settled because of the mediation of Jesus. He gave his all to bring God to us. The gap between us and God couldn’t be closed but Jesus did it.
Why does Paul speak here of Jesus as mediator right after telling us to pray and make supplication for others? He didn’t say to pray for those we love. That’s a given. In verse 2 he said to pray for those in authority. There is so much controversy that it’s hard to pray. There is no common decency anymore. We’re not smart but Jesus is. Somebody has to be in authority. Someone has to enforce the laws. Someone has to be governor, be in Congress, and be in the White House. We’re to pray for them and we can because we have a mediator. Through Jesus Christ God can work in the lives of others.
Pray for those who are your least favorite people. I’ve had to shake hands and accept people as brothers and sisters in Christ because they got saved. When we intercede for them we’re giving them a gift. Prayer is that gift and since Jesus intercedes for us we can pray for others in turn. Jesus brought us to God and we can help do it for others. Jesus died on Calvary and resurrected on the third day. Through this bloody death we have the power to pray for anyone and everyone in hopes that Jesus will mediate on their behalf.
In mediation Jesus considers our situation and God’s. God can’t look at our sin. Jesus sees that there is no way to bring fellowship unless he continually mediates between us and God. He knows the Father better than we do and us more than we know ourselves. Every single day we need Jesus to be our mediator. If you think you can do it, think again. When we pray we’re told to pray in the name of Jesus. People are too irreverent and flippant about their prayer life. “Hey, God” is not the way to start a prayer. Be humble. Without our mediator and the intercession our prayers would go nowhere. Even though we’re saved we need a mediator to take what we have to God and let us know what God has for us.
Jesus is at the Father’s right hand in heaven. We are here. The Holy Spirit takes what we say to the Mediator. He takes it to the Father. He gives the answer to the Holy Spirit who then gives it to us. That’s why we can now look at verse 8. Paul said I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. Let’s not forget how it works. It’s up to us to keep our relationship with the Mediator, the Lord Jesus Christ. He’s invaluable for our life.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 