By: Obed Pineda
It is an undeniable truth that when conflicts arise between two parties, collateral damage is inevitable. The people closest to those engaged in a conflict are affected by the outcome, especially if a viable solution that leads to reconciliation cannot be reached. Depending on the gravity of the conflict, finding a reasonable, and fair solution that appeases both sides can sometimes become a daunting task. Hence, in these type of situations where the conflict only continues to escalate, the most prudent choice to make is involving a third party who can assist in the negotiations between those who are at odds with one another. There is no question that in these delicate matters, the mediator selected for this challenging task must be someone that all parties involved trust to be objective and unbiased in his judgment. An excellent mediator is easily identified by his ability to relate equally to both sides of the problem and remain fair throughout the entire mediation process. Those who excel in the art of conflict resolution will pinpoint what both sides require to settle amicably their dispute, and will offer a just settlement focused on reconciliation. Thus, it becomes evident that he who is interposing amidst those locked in controversy must become intimately familiarized with all who are involved, if he is to successfully achieve this goal of peace. Indeed, it cannot be refuted that to persuade two human beings contending with each other to set aside their differences and make peace with one another requires a very skillful individual. Yet, if knowing how to settle a quarrel between two people is viewed by humanity as an amazing talent, then the deed our Lord Christ was able to accomplish between God and man reflects His extraordinary level of proficiency in the art of conflict resolution. The brilliance of the peace that Jesus secured between God and humankind radiates powerfully upon reading Paul’s magnificent proclamation, “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus” (1st Timothy 2:5). The layers of depth a diligent student of the Bible can delve into with this succinct, potent Scripture expands when the ladder in Jacob’s dream at Bethel resurfaces into our mind’s eye (cf. Genesis 28:12-15). Particularly, when we bring into our memory the Master’s revelation that it was He who was being foreshadowed by the ladder in the dream (cf. John 1:49-51). Ergo, the apostle Paul’s affirmation that there can be only “one Mediator” concurs with the Hebrew writer’s instruction of Jesus “having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek” (Hebrews 6:20). It is wise to mark the slight difference between a mediator and an intercessor, to fully comprehend Paul’s teaching in the inspired text. These two words are very often treated as synonyms and as such, are commonly used interchangeably in our modern vernacular. A primary reason for this is because they are indeed, conciliar acts. The act of mediation and the act of intercession both relate to one another in relationship to conflict resolution. However, the key difference is that a mediator is one who negotiates between parties in an effort to reach a mutual agreement, where an intercessor solely intervenes with a suggestion, seeking to restore harmony. This is a subtle, but vital distinction that must not be overlooked when studying the apostle’s inspired words in reference to our Lord’s accomplishment. One major reason why this is imperative to understand is because a person interceding in a quarrel, does not necessarily relate to the persons involved. This means that the suggestion provided for a settlement by that intercessor, does not have to favor both sides; rather it may favor one, excluding the other. The purpose of mediation is to find a fair and balanced medium where both sides will agree that the settlement favored them equally. Therefore, this begins to illuminate Paul’s motive by first stating that there is “One God and one Mediator between God and men.” The apostle lays the foundation of his outstanding lesson by identifying the two parties engaged in conflict; God and man. Holy Writ verifies that “it pleased the Father that in Him [Jesus Christ] all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. And you, who were once alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His [the Father’s] sight” (Colossians 1:19-22, addition mine). In these words written to the church at Colosse, the apostle Paul unveils the source of the conflict between God and man to be sin. Several millennia prior, Jehovah God had declared to His people through His prophet, “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear” (Isaiah 59:1-2). Even though it is a fact that Isaiah’s inspired words were uttered to the children of Israel under the Old Testament, Paul insures to establish that sin was a universal problem as he espouses, “But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:21-23). There is no doubt that man found himself in a complex problem where sin was pitting him against the Almighty. Furthermore, humanity’s predicament only worsened when the Holy Spirit explains that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23a). This inspired manifestation means that the only fair, righteous path to provide an equal payment for our transgressions against God was with our own lives. The problem with this, however, is that it would sacrifice man’s soul to eternal damnation since he would die in sin, which was highly unfavorable to both sides. How then could God’s wrath against sin be appeased, without man having to lose his soul in the process? Behold why this dire situation needed “the Man Christ Jesus” to be the “one Mediator between God and men!” The solution to this volatile problem could only be resolved by Him who can relate both to God and man. Jesus alone understood why the righteous price of sin is death, but also why it was impossible for man to pay with his own life. Finding a godly medium where the righteousness of God was not nullified, but also where the unrighteousness of man did not go unpunished was something that only Jesus could mediate. This is what the apostle Paul is shinning his proverbial spotlight on when he emphasized on the exclusivity of Jesus as the right, perfect Mediator between God and mankind. The resolution that Jesus offered to assist God and man reach reconciliation, is further proof that truly God’s gift is the gift that keeps on giving. To be continued…