Jesus, the Mediator Between God and Men.
"There is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." 1 Tim. 2:5.
God and man were at variance with each other. There was a partition between God and man, so that they could not come together or agree. Because by sin God and man were estranged from each other, as it is written: “Your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you that He will not hear,” a mediator was necessary who would reconcile offended divine Justice and obtain a gracious hearing for the sinner. Without a mediator there can be no reconciliation between God and man. Without a mediator the partition-wall must remain forever.
But prompted by His everlasting mercy, the triune and only wise God took counsel with Himself; and He found a way to pro vide a Mediator who was both capable of taking the place of man and able to make satisfaction to, infinite Justice. Our Mediator is the Only-begotten of the Father, whn was made flesh. Because He is God and man in one person, therefore the shedding of His blood and the laying down of His life is an atonement of unbounded and never-ending value, by which the debt of sin has been truly and fully paid.
God was in no way bound to make peace with us; according to right and justice He might have banished us from His coun tenance forever. But He had no pleasure in the death of sinners and resolved to become His own Peacemaker. Therefore God the Son was made flesh that He might act as Mediator. Jesus Christ, the God-man, is the Mediator between God and man.
Now apply these glorious tidings to your own person and learn to say: Oh, what a merciful God! I am saved, my trans gression is forgiven, my sin is covered, I have been reconciled to God in Christ, my Mediator and Redeemer. Jesus, Thou art mine forever — heaven is mine!
Prayer.
O Thou Lord of Glory, what return am I able to render for all the mercies and all the truth, which Thou hast shown unto me ? How can I, poor, needy mortal, ever recompense Thee? O Lord, this debt must ever remain unpaid. But since I have not where with to pay my debt, I render Thee most heartfelt thanks for all Thy mercy towards me, and I will praise and magnify Thy name from henceforth and even forevermore. In Thee, O Lord, do I hope; let me never be confounded! Amen.
Other refuge have I none,
Hangs my helpless soul on Thee; Leave, ah, leave me not alone, Still support and comfort me! All my trust on Thee is stayed, All my help from Thee I bring; Cover my defenseless head
With the shadow of Thy wing.
