The cross looms large over all of history. Its shadow is cast in all directions—forward and backward, before and behind. Every narrative in Scripture is draped in the gospel.
Think back to the moment the children of Israel decided to worship a golden calf at the base of Mount Sinai (Exodus 32:1–14). God was poised to destroy them for their rebellion, and His holy wrath was fully justified.
In response, Moses turned to God, aware of how impossible it was for his people to save themselves from God’s just wrath. Unless he intervened, his beloved nation would be destroyed. In the end, the Israelites were spared, not because they were worthy or sinless (they weren’t), but because Moses pleaded for mercy on their behalf to a merciful God.
And yet, Moses’s pleading can’t save you or me from our sin. Moses is gone, his body buried in a secret grave dug by the Lord Himself (Deuteronomy 34:5–7). Humanity’s part of God’s covenant with Moses is broken. We remain as rebellious as our Hebrew forefathers. But this is more than a story about a time when God saved a bunch of silly idol-worshippers. In the light of the cross, the image changes. True gospel hope emerges for you and for me.
“These serve as a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was warned when he was about to complete the tabernacle. For God said, ‘Be careful that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown to you on the mountain.’ But Jesus has now obtained a superior ministry, and to that degree he is the mediator of a better covenant, which has been established on better promises” (Hebrews 8:5–6, emphasis mine).
Christ is our Mediator, the bridge to the better covenant. We are not—nor could we ever be—holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:16). God’s wrath toward us is fully justified. In response, Jesus turned to face God, fully aware of how impossible it was for people to save themselves from God’s just wrath. Unless He intervened, His beloved Bride would be destroyed.
At the cross, Christ intervened for us. Yet He is not buried in a tomb. He arose with the power to keep pleading our case. Even now, this very moment, He advocates for us before the Father. He is the Savior who keeps saving us from our sin, the Mediator who keeps making our case, based on His righteousness, not our own.
Beloved child of God, you have been spared. Not because you are worthy, but because Christ advocates for you. Amen.
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46 thoughts on "Jesus Is Our Mediator"
I’m trying to get a job for this summer. I am at a fork in the road and I need God’s guidance to show me which direction to go. Please pray that I will be able to make a decision that comes from God.
“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all” (1Timothy 2:5-6). He gave Himself for me. He died to forgive me. He lives to intercede. He is the only advocate I need – His blood pleads for me.
Being loved enough by God to be spared. Wow. I’m thankful Jesus doesn’t advocate once but continues to advocate for me over and over again.
Praying for you and your school Kathy!
Imagine how differently our nation would look if we all followed Timothy’s advice: “…that petitions, prayers , intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for everyone, for kings and those in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of truth.”
Gracious Lord Jesus, You alone are worthy of all glory, honor, and praise, today and forever more. I pray that I will be seek always to do that which pleases you. Amen.
I AM SPARED! Thank you Jesus for taking my place!
I have been truly humbled these past few weeks with how much God loves me and how much mercy he pours down on us. Christ was praying & advocating for me way before I was ever a spec in the universe. 1John is a reminder of that. Please, pray for my boyfriend Mario. He is not a believer; yet has shown interest in the Lord, but is allowing fear or Satan’s grip to hold him back from taking that first step. Prayers that he is full of the Holy Spirit and sees God’s love working in his life would be greatly appreciated.
I am so grateful that God shows mercy every day. The verse that really spoke to me today is in Jude. “Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.”
Jude 1:23 NLT
This, to me is saying, love the sinner but hate the sin. Isn’t that what Jesus does for us? It sure can be hard. I myself am that sinner, and Jesus loves me just the same.
Kathy, and others who are dealing with these issues, I am keeping you in prayer. The things that we go through and witness are not always good. Thank goodness we have the Holy Spirit to intercede in words to the Father when we don’t know what to say.
Blessings to you all from Pennsylvania, this cold and rainy Tuesday.
Dear Sisters,
For those of experiencing so much grief, I am sorry for what you are going through, but am lifting you up in prayer today. For those who have shared – thank you and praying over you as well. This is a good, supportive community and I am thankful for you all. God is good!
It never gets old. Amazing. I’m never worthy but Jesus has made worthy through His perfect righteousness and atoning death. Praise the Lord! What a Advocate!
True GOSPEL hope!
I love music, worship music in particular. My journal is full of songs that come to mind as I read my daily devotions and pray. Today, “Here in Your presence there will be no other throne
All my heart is Yours and Yours alone
The song of heaven and my soul will sing the same
Jesus Christ, the name above all names
What a mighty God, what a mighty God You are
What a mighty God, what a mighty God You are
What a mighty God, what a mighty God You are
What a mighty God, what a mighty God You are
Glory, glory, and a thousand hallelujahs
O Lord my God, how great You are
Honor, power, and another hallelujah
O Lord my God, how great You are
Glory, glory, and a thousand hallelujahs
O Lord my God, how great You are
Honor, power, and another hallelujah
O Lord my God, how great You are”
(What A Mighty God (Another Hallelujah) by Elevation)
Praying for your school community Kathy, and all who are touched by these very difficult happenings….
God is with you and your school – may everyone feel His embrace. God bring a miracle, God bring Hope, and God may your love grab each heart. Love wins.
Jesus is the defender of my heart
Kathy I will pray for you and your school community. Your story touched my heart this morning. I had a period of about 5 years where I lost my mother to cancer, I had a stroke, my father to Parkinson’s, a nephew and then my husband to Pancreatic cancer. It was tough, but God started to change me and I had a peace at times that was bigger than anything I had ever experienced. I knew God was with me. I didn’t have any control over these things and I let God carry me. I knew I was going to be ok.
The journey’s still going and there’s other brokenness now, but I rely on God in a much different way now. I look forward to my time with Him each morning and when I say goodnight. I will continue to pray for you and your community.
Lord that I can show the grace and mercy to others that you show me. Amen.
Praying for you Kathy and your school family
Jesus says, “Come to me all who are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Learn from Me and be blessed for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Because of our Great High Priest, Jesus, and the new covenant He afforded us with His life, death on the cross, and resurrection – I come to Him. I offer petitions, prayers, and intercessions before Him and know that He cares, loves, is trustworthy, faithful, and good. My heart and lips bulge bursting forth with thanksgiving and praise. In the midst of every struggle I have opportunity for tranquility and quiet godliness and dignity in Christ in His love.
This gift I have been given, I cannot earn. At my best, not one part of me is worthy. And yet, Jesus gave himself as a ransom for me, and for you. He mediates our case. He bears the scars from His purchase, standing in the gap for us. He protects us from stumbling, we may stand in the presence of His glory…without blemish and with great joy.
Our debt is paid.
We owe it all,
all to Jesus.
May the mercy we have received
be poured out for Him in this world.
Amen
Selah
Sisters, I am in need of your prayers today. I teach in a very small school system. We have one elementary, one middle and one high school. I teach at the high school. We have just under 500 students in high school. this has been a tough year for our high school faculty. The day before school started one of our teachers died from a heart attack. Then one of our secretaries, whose daughter teaches at the high school, was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer. Our Spanish teacher’s unborn baby was diagnosed with Trisomy 18. At Thanksgiving, a teacher lost his dad. This February, I lost my mom to Parkinson’s and we lost our secretary to her cancer. Allison’s baby survived the birth but died two days later. Yesterday we found out that our football coach probably has early onset Alzheimer’s. We are just ready for this year to be over.
Please pray for peace for all of us and that I will have the opportunity to be salt and light; the hands and feet of Jesus.
Praying for you Kathy.
Kathy, thinking and praying for you right now.
Praying!
I’m sorry to hear all this. I’ll be lifting you and the others up in prayer today
I’ve heard your stories, I’ve imagined these people, you are in my mind, on my heart and I will keep lifting you up in prayer!
Praying for you Kathy. I’m a school social worker in an elementary school, and I can’t fathom having all of that happen to staff in one year. The jobs are challenging enough on their own, and having so much turmoil to your team would surely be so difficult. I pray that you would feel comfort from the Lord and that He is protecting your school and teammates.
Kathy, I’m praying for you and your community! I pray that the Lord will bring comfort to all of you in your continued grief from the many losses. May you be a light for him, and may the Church be extensions of His hands and feet to being hope for those in need.
Praying Linda!
Praying Kathy!
Oh Kathy, I am so sorry to hear this news. I am praying for you and your community.
Praying for you.
Praying for you
Kathy, I will be praying for you and your school community.
Kathy, I am praying for you and your school, for comfort& peace & that God will make himself known to many.
I also teach in a small community. We have had similar years of being rocked by loss and tragedy including the death of a student who was waiting for the school bus. The heaviness is so all-consuming. My heart goes out to you, your colleagues, and your community. You are all in my prayers.❤️
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love, according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.” Psalm 51:1-4
Thank You, Lord, for Your mercy and grace.
He is able to protect me from stumbling.
He is able to make me stand in the presence of His great glory.
Because of Him, I will be blameless.
What great joy I will have on that day!
Jesus Christ goes before God on my behalf.
O what a Savior! Isn’t He wonderful! Sing hallelujah! Christ is risen!
Yes, Churchmouse. It is hard to find a balance. I listened to a sermon by Paul Washer. He said that one of the hardest things is for us is to actually understand God’s love for us. I want to feel the weight of my sin. I feel that that breaks my pride or comparison complex to think it’s not that bad. When I realize the depths of my sin, I can be in awe of the goodness of God’s plan and Jesus’ sacrifice to save me. This kind of love and grace is hard to grasp, because He is like no other. I know I can never be good enough with my head, but I want to feel and know with my whole being, drop to my knees, cry out for forgiveness, weep, then rejoice. https://youtu.be/QoJBwG0GFug
I was spared. Not because I deserved it, but because I am loved enough to receive it anyway. Thank you Lord!
Amen
Amen!
Yes! So thankful for His grace AND mercy!
The older I get the more aware of my sin I become. I can no longer shrug at my sin. I weep over it. It’s hard to balance this awareness with the abundant grace and mercy of Jesus. Indeed, there is no balance. His grace and mercy far exceeds all that I have done. And I am undone – because Him.
I feel the same way. The clother I get to God and understand and read the Bible daily, the more I realize what a sinner I am. But that gives us time to repent.
Amen. I was told for every look at sin, make 10 looks to the cross. Because God’s grace is bigger than our sin. But we can so easily focus on ourselves
So true-THANK YOU JESUS!!!
In light of Him being our mediator, what is He asking us to think, feel, be and/or do today? I despair at (and truthfully harshly judge) those in positions of political power but I need to give thanks for and pray for them. “High places” can have all kinds of interpretations begging all manner of intercession. Lord have mercy and thank you. Amen