James Smith

"There is one Mediator between God and men — the man Christ Jesus." 1 Timothy 2:5

The mediation of Christ is the glory of the gospel! No one has seen the glory of the method of grace — who has not distinctly, clearly, and spiritually seen the nature of the mediation of Jesus. God and man are by nature separated; nor can they be reconciled or united — but by a Mediator. The cause of this separation is sin.

The sin of man is rebellion against the just authority of God.

The sin of man is deep-rooted, cruel, and wicked enmity against God.

The sin of man is moral filth, in consequence of which he cannot be admitted into the presence of God.

Sinful man aims at nothing less than the destruction of the very being of the absolutely holy God; for if the sinner had the power — he would chase God Almighty out of all the worlds He has created, and deprive Him of His existence and very being! The character of man, is that of the enemy of God — he is the avowed, determined, and implacable enemy of God! And his enmity is so deep and dreadful — that nothing short of the divine power and influence of the Holy Spirit can subdue it, nothing but a new creation can change his character!

How then can such a vile being, in such a dreadful state — be admitted into the presence of the thrice holy God? Into the presence of that God:

1. Whose justice demands that the rights of the divine nature be maintained, and the sins of the sinner be punished!

2. Whose holiness is like a burning, glowing fire, and will not, cannot — allow anything impure to approach Him!

3. Whose truth is as immutable as His throne, and will not rescind or falsify His threatenings!

4. Whose power makes earth to tremble, and the perpetual mountains to bow!

How can such a holy God, and such vile creatures — meet and embrace, and love each other?

Only through a Mediator, one who can lay his hand upon both!

The Mediator required must be one who can approach to and deal with God for man; whose dignity, glory, and majesty, are such, that it shall be no dishonor to Jehovah to admit Him to His council, and enter into terms with Him for man's redemption.

The Mediator must be one who has ability to prevail with and reconcile men. He must have power . . .
to subdue the stubborn will,
to cleanse the filthy nature, and
to bring the rebel at a humble suppliant to the divine throne!

He must be willing to undertake this great and arduous work, and to go through with it, let it cost what it may of toil, suffering, and power.

He must also be acceptable to both parties: God must approve of Him and be satisfied with Him; and man must acquiesce in his appointment, office, and work.

He must be able to meet and fulfill all the conditions of the covenant . . .
obeying the precepts of the law,
suffering its dreadful penalty,
and new-creating the rebel man.

He must therefore be GOD — or how could He . . .
deal with God,
undertake for millions of sinners, and
deliberately engage in such an dreadful work?

If He is not God — then He is infinitely beneath God; for there is an infinite distance between God and the most exalted creature.

He must also be man, and PERFECT MAN, without spot, or stain of sin — or how could He obey the law in His life, and suffer its penalty in His death?

Jesus is BOTH God and man. God by nature, and man by choice — the God-man, therefore the Mediator.

His WORK was first to lay a foundation for bringing God and man together upon just and honorable principles — this He did by His obedience and death. Then He must actually bring the parties together into friendship and agreement — this He does by His gospel and Holy Spirit. Then He must keep the parties together, in peace and love — and this He does bf his intercession, constantly pleading His blood for sinners in the holiest, and sending down the Holy Spirit to sanctify, teach and guide them!

As Mediator, He made peace. He proclaims peace, He imparts peace. He maintains peace. He will introduce His people into perfect and eternal peace! He stands between God and man as Intercessor with God — and as Advocate for them! He is the only medium of access to God; no sinner can approach God with acceptance — but through Him!

As the medium of communion with God — God can not have fellowship with us — but through Him.

As the medium of sympathy, He unites God and man so closely, so tenderly — that every groan touches Him, every sigh touches Him, every pain touches Him! And in all our afflictions — He is afflicted!

Wonderful union of God and man! Amazing mystery! That God and man should become one, through Jesus. The rebel and the Sovereign — one! The vile sinner and the Holiest — one! But so it is, and Jesus will be our one Mediator to us in ultimate glory forever. There is one Mediator, and but ONE! We need no more!