In that great separation between God and man caused by our sin and apostasy which of itself could result in nothing but the utter ruin of the whole human race, there was none in heaven or earth who was fit or able to reconcile them and bring about a righteous peace between them. Yet this must be done and could be done only by a suitable mediator.
– John owen
This mediator could not be God himself as God only, for a mediator does not mediate for only one. But if he was God then he could be said to be biased, for there is only one God and man is not God. Man needs a mediator to represent him just a God needs a mediator to represent him (Gal. 3:20). So whatever God might do in the work of reconciliation, yet as God he could not do it as mediator.
As for man, there was no creature in heaven or earth fit to undertake this work. For ‘if one sins against another, God will judge him. But if a man sins against the Lord, who will intercede for him?’ (1 Sam. 2.25). As Job said,’Nor is there any mediator between us who may lay his hand on us’ (Job 9:33).
In this state of things, the Lord Christ, as the Son of God, said, Behold, I have come to do your will, O God ( Heb. 10-7). By taking our nature into union with himself, his own divine person, he became in every way fit and able for this work and so undertakes it.
Reading Reflection:
This is the glory of Christmas. In Jesus Christ, God has done for us what we could not do for ourselves. Glory to God in the highest!
