Mediator and Intercessor
What do the terms “mediator” and “intercessor” mean? Do they mean the same? To whom do they apply? Many people are confused about these two terms.
Is Christ Mediator and Intercessor?
According to Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (p. 401), the Greek word for “mediator” means “one who intervenes between two, either in order to make or restore peace and friendship, or to form a compact, or for ratifying a covenant; a medium of communication, arbitrator.” Paul clarifies in Galatians 3:20 that a mediator does not belong to one party, but to two or more. Moses was described in Galatians 3:19 as a mediator. He was the one who brought the law of God to the people of Israel, and he was the sole arbitrator between the nation of Israel and God. Notice the parenthetical statement in Deuteronomy 5:5: “I stood between the Lord and you at that time, to show you the word of the Lord: for ye were afraid by reason of the fire, and went not up into the mount.” Who is our mediator today? By inspiration, Paul reveals this in his first letter to Timothy: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (2:5). Jesus is the mediator between God and men of the new covenant, or New Testament (Heb. 12:24), based on better promises (Heb. 8:6). Human sin had broken the relationship between God and man, and He restored harmony through His death on Calvary (Heb. 9:15). Christ alone is our mediator, and He alone can carry out this office. Only He can relate both to God and to humanity, because as Paul points out, He is not only divine, but He alone also “became flesh” (John 1:14); thus, only He can identify with both parties as mediator.
Moreover, only He serves in the role as our Great High Priest perpetually (Heb. 9:24-28); thus, only He may hold this office of mediator. What does “intercessor” mean? According to several Biblical lexicons and dictionaries, it means “to encounter with request, entreat; make entreaty.” While Isaiah reproves the Jews for their wickedness, he remarks that at one time, there was no intercessor for them (59:16). God is always ready to pardon the penitent, and sent His Son to be our Saviour. Jesus is not only our mediator, but also our intercessor (Isa. 53:12; Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25). However, Jesus is not alone in making intercession. Remember Abraham interceded with God on behalf of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 18:17-33). Prophets could intercede (Jer. 27:18). The Jews tried to intercede with Festus that Paul should be killed, but Festus told King Agrippa that Paul was innocent (Acts 25:24-25). Paul told the Romans about Elijah interceding to God for the Israelites (Rom. 11:2; cf. 1 Kings 19:10). James stated that other Christians might intercede for us: “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (5:16).Therefore, while many may make intercession on our behalf, the role of mediator belongs only to one—Jesus Christ, our Lord. Thanks be unto our mediator, Jesus Christ, and thanks be unto those who intercede for us, including our Lord Jesus Christ!