For there is one God, and there is one who brings God and human beings together, the man Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5 (GNT)
A mediator is a person who acts as an intervening agency. They are the middle person between two people who are in conflict. If you ever need a mediator, you want someone who understands your situation and the laws around it so they can provide a resolution that works for both parties. Jesus is our mediator. What are his qualifications? How is he qualified to understand us so that he can represent us to God? In his life here on earth he was:
- Uneducated - he didn't have a college degree
- Poor - he lived in poverty his entire life. He didn't own anything.
- Walked everywhere he went
- Lived each day facing temptation
- Faced criticism and harassment
- He was what we would call a rebel. He didn't follow the status quo.
- He worked long hours - often from dawn to dusk
- Sometimes his commute took days to go from one place to the next
- People were always trying to get something from him
- Sometimes, people thought he was crazy
- He was beaten, spit at and mocked
- He had to face and overcome an incredibly hard situation - and for a time, didn't want to
- He was killed for his cause
I think it is safe to say that he understands our situation. He lived a life like ours (only I would venture to say his was harder). He also understands God. He knew him better than anyone. He understood what was required on the part of justice. He understood that if he didn't walk this walk, live this life, that God's righteousness would be at question. He knew what each side needed.
He is the perfect mediator. You see, he is still mediating. He is still representing us to God. He is our advocate. The gift wasn't just in his death and resurrection. It is in the ongoing intercession on our behalf. It is the gift that keeps on giving, day after day, year after year, generation after generation.
Christ was without sin, but for our sake God made him share our sin in order that in union with him we might share the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (GNT)