There is only One.
For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. 1 Timothy 2:5-6
Consider it again: How many mediators are there between God and men? One. There is only one person who can bridge the gap between sinful humans and a righteous God. You might agree, of course, Jesus is the only way to be saved! But this is not only true in the moment of salvation but also in our daily walk with God.
Do you feel distant from God? Do you feel at odds with Him? Do you desire to draw closer to Him? There is one mediator between you and God. It’s not your favorite author. It’s not a book or Bible study. It’s not your pastor, your counselor, your friend, or your parents. For there is only one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ, who gave Himself as a ransom for all. Your pastor or friend or favorite blogger have not given themselves as a ransom for you. Only One person has done that… the man Jesus Christ.
It’s tempting to look to people, books, or programs to bridge the distance we feel between ourselves and our God. But they can never do that. The best they can do is point to the One who can draw us nearer, our precious Jesus who gave Himself for us.
Do you have loved ones who are far from God and hope to see them reconciled to Him? Does it seem like it’s all up to you? Like you’re the only one in their life speaking truth and pushing them to God? Remember, there is one mediator between God and men, and it’s not you. You have no power to reconcile others to God. The best you can do is point to the man Jesus Christ who gave Himself as a ransom for all.
God doesn’t need you. He is a capable and strong Savior with or without you in the picture. “I’m the only one pointing them to Jesus.” “If I don’t say this, who will?” Those are the words of someone who has assumed they are a mediator. I know this because I have too often put myself in that position. As soon as I assume someone needs me, I have elevated myself too highly. For there is one mediator between God and men, and it’s surely not me.
I’m just as needy of Jesus as those I hope to see reconciled to Him. I have not died for anyone. My obedience cannot save anyone. But by Jesus’ obedience many are made righteous. (Rom 5:19) The pressure to do it right exists. And Jesus did it right and then sat down at the right hand of God. It is finished and He alone holds the keys to reconciliation with God.
Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; but [Jesus], having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feed. For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.
Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:11-14, 19-22
The one thing we desire for ourselves and others is to be in right relationship with God and experiencing His presence daily: to be in “the holy place.” And there is only one way to get there, “by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh.” We have a great priest! The God-man Jesus Christ! He alone can cleanse our hearts from an evil conscience.
You will not grow closer to God without the ministry of the One Mediator, and you won’t see those you love closer to God without the ministry of the One Mediator. It is dependent on nothing else but Him. Do not be deceived. Do not elevate yourself or anyone else as an equal to Jesus. Sinful men, and the resources created by sinful men, can never bring us to God. At best, they can point to the One who can. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.