The Mediator
One who stands between God and humanity to mediate covenant.
The concept of a mediator appears in Scripture as one who stands between God and people to convey a message or establish a covenant. In the Old Testament, Moses served as a mediator between the LORD and Israel at Sinai, standing between them to show them God's word (Deuteronomy 5:5). The law itself was ordained through angels in the hand of a mediator (Galatians 3:19), and Paul notes that a mediator implies more than one party, while God is one (Galatians 3:20). In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is identified as the one mediator between God and men (1 Timothy 2:5), who mediates a better covenant (Hebrews 8:6), the new testament (Hebrews 9:15), and the new covenant (Hebrews 12:24).
Lore & Background
The role of mediator is first seen in Moses, who stood between the LORD and the people of Israel at Mount Sinai to deliver God's words because the people were afraid (Deuteronomy 5:5). This mediation was tied to the giving of the law, which was added because of transgressions and was ordained by angels through a mediator (Galatians 3:19). Paul explains that a mediator is not of one party, but God is one, highlighting the necessity of two parties for mediation (Galatians 3:20).
Jesus Christ is presented as the ultimate mediator. He is the one mediator between God and men, being the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5). His ministry is superior because He mediates a better covenant, established on better promises (Hebrews 8:6). He is the mediator of the new testament, and His death redeems transgressions under the first testament, securing an eternal inheritance for the called (Hebrews 9:15).
Finally, Jesus is identified as the mediator of the new covenant, and His blood speaks better things than the blood of Abel (Hebrews 12:24). This progression shows a shift from the law mediated by Moses to a new covenant mediated by Christ, with Christ's mediation being central to redemption and the promise of eternal inheritance.
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