Thoughts for Easter
The Mediator

Justification means this miracle: that Christ takes our place and we take His.
Emil Brunner

For the sake of His infinite love, He has become what we are in order that He may make us entirely what He is.
Irenaeus

As we approach Easter, we must never forget Christ and His Cross. Many terms are used to explain what happened at the cross. Some of them include substitution, ransom, satisfaction, atonement, expiation, propitiation, purchase, mediation, redemption, and reconciliation.

The quotes of Brunner and Irenaeus are focused on Christ as Mediator. This is what Paul calls Jesus in 1 Tim. 2:5. The writer of Hebrews refers to Christ as the Mediator of the new covenant (Heb. 8:6, 9:15, 12:24). Jesus alone is the Mediator between God and man.

And, that divine Mediation involves an exchange. Jesus takes upon Himself our sin and we receive His righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21). Too often our understanding of the cross involves only one side of the transaction. Like the fourth grade child in Sunday School when asked what Jesus did for us, we respond, “He died on the cross”. That is true, but only part of the answer.

Jesus lived a perfect life that provides for us the righteousness we do not have and cannot obtain by our own effort. His mediation for us is sufficient, complete and meritorious for our salvation. He takes away our sin and gives us His righteousness thereby satisfying the wrath of God and providing the merit necessary to enter into the eternal presence of God. Thus, He is the just and justifier (Rom. 3:26).

The Gospel means the problem of sin has been fully and adequately addressed. As the Mediator, Jesus reconciled God the Father and man. Jesus suffered the penalty of sin for us. Jesus also clothed us with His righteousness. At the Last Great Day we will be entering into eternal fellowship with God the Father because of Christ alone—The Mediator. It is the death and resurrection of this Mediator…Jesus Christ…that is alone the hope of our salvation. Praise be to Him!