As Job went through an indescribable amount of suffering in Job 1-2, in Job 9, Job pictures himself in a courtroom with God. In Job’s attempt to demonstrate his innocence before God, he highlights this problem in Job 9:33: “There is no arbiter between us, who might lay his hand on us both.” In Job’s situation, there is no mediator between him and God. There is no one to intercede between the two parties. There is no one to lay one hand on Job’s shoulder and the other hand on God’s shoulder in order to bring them into reconciliation with one another. In law disputes today, mediators go back and forth from one party to another in order to resolve the case; Job complained that he did not have that with God. In baseball, when there is a conflict over a call between two teams, the umpire settles it; again, in the midst of Job’s suffering, Job recognized that he did not have that.
Here is the good news for us, as Christians: we have what Job longed for. Currently, as Jesus reigns at God’s right hand, He is serving as our Mediator and Intercessor. Jesus currently serves as the “go-between” between us and God. The New Testament presents this idea clearly: “Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us” (Romans 8:34); “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, which is the testimony given at the proper time” (1 Timothy 2:5- 6); “Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant” (Hebrews 9:15); “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25); “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1). Jesus Himself said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
Jesus is the only one who is qualified to serve in this role because only Jesus knows exactly what it’s like to be on both sides. Jesus knows what it’s like to be completely human, and He also knows what it’s like to be completely God. As a result, Jesus is the only one qualified to plead our case before the Almighty Judge. He is the only one qualified to do what Job longed for: to place one hand on our shoulders and the other hand on God’s shoulder in order to bring us into reconciliation with one another.
Jesus’ action towards us is not just in the past. As Jesus currently reigns at God’s right hand, exalted above all things, He serves as our Mediator and Intercessor. Jesus is the One who pleads our case before the Father. As Dan Winkler oftentimes says, “Jesus is at God’s side, but He is on your side.” Jesus is sitting right next to God, and He is talking to God about us. He is talking to God about our struggles, pain, trials, difficulties, and worries because He knows exactly what that is like.
As a Christian, Jesus intercedes and mediates for you. What will you do for Him this week? Will you respond to Him out of gratitude and thanksgiving? Will you submit your entire self to Him? What an amazing Savior He is.
-Tyler Alverson
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