Is Jesus The Only Way? Part 3: One Mediator

Background Passage: John 3:16-18; 14:5-11; 1Timothy 2:3-7
Today’s Focal Passage: 1 Timothy 2:3-6

3 This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and man, a man, Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself—a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time.

Irreconcilable Differences

In divorce proceedings, “irreconcilable differences” are defined as “significant differences between a married couple that are so great and beyond resolution as to make the marriage unworkable.” There is really no better definition for our state of sin than that of irreconcilable differences. In common divorce proceedings today, couples will choose mediation over litigation, the goal being more amicable, mutually agreed upon terms of separation and divorce. There being little the couple could agree on in marriage, mediation attempts to help them agree on the terms of dissolution. Mediation in spiritual matters couldn’t be more different. Christ’s role wasn’t to make the terms of our sin amicable to God. His purpose was not to make it possible for us to go our separate ways from God but to reconcile us to God. His mediation is altogether different. It doesn’t end the already broken relationship, but instead mends the separation.

In modern day mediation, a neutral third party tries to help each side reach commonality. Mediation today banks on compromise and the willingness of those at odds to each give an inch. Not so in Christ’s mediation. He is anything but neutral, and there is one party [God] who gives both nothing and everything. God won’t budge a bit on the holiness requirement. But in when it comes to forgiveness, it’s God who did all the work.

Perhaps there is no better metaphor than that of divorce when talking to our unbelieving friends about God today. You’ll find it difficult to find a family that hasn’t been touched to some degree by divorce. Comparing our condition in sin to a couple whose differences can’t seem to be reconciled is a worthwhile illustration. But be sure to explain Christ’s mediation as more akin to couple’s counseling than divorce proceedings. His aim is to reconcile us to God and His life (and sacrificial death) provided all the compromise necessary to mend the relationship.