This Sunday, we will embark at Hebrews 9:15, which reads:

“Therefore, he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.”

As we did last week, I (Darin) would like to continue to look at six more aspects of what it means that Christ is our mediator. 

It wrong for us to think Jesus started this on his own or that God turned his back on sinful man (like we have to him). Hebrews 8:8-11, among other verses, tells us that Christ’s mission was designed by the Father and started in eternity past. 

The cross was not an accident or afterthought, but God’s one plan of salvation from eternity past. Jesus, eternally God, was born a man in order to be the God-man, our mediator, and stand between two parties in conflict and mediate peace. Yet, what was determined in eternity past cannot be undone in time.

God chose us in eternity past, not because of us, but in spite of us. And that all is part of his plan!

In human negotiations, a mediator works out a compromise for both parties to give up something to “meet in the middle.” By this meditation of Christ in the new era, there is no negotiation or compromise. Why? Because the holiness of God can never be compromised.

Simply put, the new covenant is uncompromising in terms because God has offered salvation to us in his terms. We can’t cut a deal with him. It is an all-or nothing package.

Christ is the mediator representing God for us—and he tells us the terms. That is, he is our salvation and this is contingent on our repentance and total surrender to him.

So, God knows what we don't know. He rules what is out of our control. He gives what we would never have on our own. We can rest in his care for salvation and all of life.

Terms must be acceptable to both parties by the mediator. The go-between has to represent both sides well—or, one side would appear to have an unfair advantage.

This is why Jesus, who is fully God, became a man, As God, he represents God to man. As man, he represents man to God. By his incarnation, he becomes impartial to both sides.

Only sinners need grace. If I do not see myself as a sinner then I will expect "fairness" from God. You can tell yourself that God's not fair, or you can thank him that he's not fair. If God was fair, we would be condemned. The fact that a holy, eternal, all-knowing, all-powerful, merciful, fair, & just God loves you is nothing short of astonishing. 

All contact between God and men is carried through this mediator. There is no other way that God comes to man through salvation except Christ. There is no other way man can come to God and have his case represented before God.

Again: God deals with man only through Christ!

Matthew 11:27 “All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

You may not appoint Buddha, Brigham Young, Allah, a pastor, priest, etc. to do this.   No one can come to the Father except through the Son. Jesus possesses an exclusive access to God.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

The terms of this mediation are spelled out in the new covenant. The cost of the execution are the death and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 26:27 And after taking the cup and giving thanks, he gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you…”

The terms of this reconciliation require the shedding of the blood of Lord Jesus Christ.

“Christ died for our sins.” 1 Corinthians 15:3

“He was delivered up for our trespasses.” Romans 4:25

“He gave himself for our sins.” Galatians 1:4

“He gave himself as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree.” 1 Peter 2:24

Jesus is not the type of King that conquers by shedding the blood of his enemies. Rather, he is the type of King that conquers by shedding his own blood for his enemies. The cross means you don't have to hide from a perfectly holy God because all your sins have been covered by the blood of Jesus.

Christ’s death has brought about the perfect reconciliation between God and man. How powerful is the blood to appease the righteous anger of God toward us in our sins. How powerful is the blood of Christ to make propitiation of the wrath of God towards of us—and reconcile us to God and be at peace with God!

Romans 5:10 “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.”

Colossians 1:21-22 “And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, ²² he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him…”

You may never achieve the success you dreamed about, but if you're God's child you have a treasure that's eternally better—salvation. What more could we want?