The Uplifted Christ, The Mediator Between God And All Men
John 12:32-33; 1 Timothy 2:3-6
“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die.” (John 12:32-33). The uplifted Christ is the Mediator between God and all men. Jesus Himself revealed what would happen when He is lifted up. The consequence and benefit of Christ being lifted up on the Cross is to draw all men unto Him. After rising from the dead, He showed Himself to the 11
disciples and more than 500 people at another time. It is a historical and biblical fact that Christ died, was buried and rose again from the dead. Some people suggest that Christ is only for Israel or the Western world but Christ emphasizes that when He is lifted up, He would draw all men unto Him. As you believe in the uplifted Christ and confess with your mouth that Christ was risen for your justification, you will be saved.
1. THE MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND SINFUL MEN
1 Timothy 2:3-6; Hebrews 8:6,12; 2 Peter 3:9
“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” (1 Timothy 2:3-6). A mediator reconciles two warring parties. The Holy God has a controversy with the finite man because of his sins. There must be a Mediator between the Holy God and sinful men, and Jesus provides the mediation. Sin is all around man in his thoughts and actions and because man is dirty and corrupt, God cannot have fellowship with sin and evil. This caused a great separation and a great gulf between God and men. The gulf and chasm between God and men is so deep for any man to build a bridge. Only Jesus Christ could build that bridge between God and men. No philosopher or human mediator can build the bridge. Meditating and deep thought cannot transport us to God.
Jesus has the same attributes as God, so He qualifies to reconcile us to God. Also, He was the Son of man having been born by the Virgin Mary. As the Son of God, He holds the hand of God, and as the Son of Man, He holds the hand of man and reconciles them. None of Adam’s offspring could do this mediation. Christ came to do what no other man could do. The bridge between God and man has now been built and all men of all ages and continents can go over the bridge and receive salvation.
If you do not exclude yourself, you will be a part of those who will be saved. The full price has been paid on the cross of Calvary and you do not have to pay anything. All you need to do is come, believe in Him and receive the grace of God. Ignorance of the provision of the bridge keeps you irreconciled to God. There are things in God’s creation that serve all of His creatures. Only one sun and only one moon serve the Earth. So, as we go from nation to nation, there is only one God and one mediator between God and men, Jesus Christ and He has ‘given Himself a ransom for all to be testified in due time.’ Now, freedom is available to everyone in the world.
2. THE MINISTRY OF GRACE FOR SURRENDERING MEN
John 1:12-14,16; Romans 5:1-2,8-11; Ephesians 2:8-10
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10). The origin of grace is God. Grace does not originate from man or the earth. If you have to get anything from the earth, you have to work for it by sowing and sweating. Marketplaces do not operate by grace, they operate by a means of exchange on trade-by-barter. Salvation is by grace, not by the works of man’s hands. The kingdom of heaven does not operate like worldly markets. You pay nothing for salvation, you do not shed enough tears for salvation, and you do not need to climb a mountain or burn candles for salvation. You do not have to give anything to anyone as a sacrifice for your salvation. Money, good works, tears, or any human ingenuity cannot procure salvation.
Salvation has already been provided and the bridge built, all you need to do is to trust, surrender and have faith in the finished work of Christ on Calvary. There is nothing to add to the accomplished work of salvation at Calvary. The air we breathe, the ground we walk on, the water we drink, and the possibility of sleeping and waking up are the gift of God. We obtain salvation and redemption without paying anything. As He saves us, we become ‘His workmanship unto good works.’ Our good works before salvation are only good here. It is after salvation, that our good works have any meaning to God.
3. THE MERCY AND GOODNESS FOR SICK-SUFFERING MEN
Psalm 145:8-9; Acts 10:38; 1 Peter 2:24
“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” (Acts 10:38). There was too much sickness in the world before the Mediator came. Suffering and sickness are everywhere in the world. Christ came from heaven where there are no sicknesses and suffering, and He came to give us mercy and goodness to heal the sick and relieve the oppressed. He has come to give us the privilege of experiencing heaven on earth. He was empowered to do good to everyone. Jesus does not specialize in a particular area of concern or need; He heals all. The word of God says, “whosoever shall call on the name of the Lod shall be saved.”