“All of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (NLT)
When Jesus was on the cross, he wasn’t just taking my place. He was also restoring my relationship to God by becoming my Mediator.
Mediators are people who bring two sides together. The Bible tells us that because of sin, we are separated from God. God is on one side, and all of us, as sinful people, are on the other side. And there is a divide between us that we can’t cross on our own.
But there’s good news! Jesus came to earth so he could go between us to bring us together. He is my Mediator—the bridge-builder between myself and God.
The Bible says, “All of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18-19 NLT). Jesus became the bridge between myself and God.
In the Old Testament, before Jesus came to earth, the only way someone could have access to God was through a priest. In fact, only the Jewish high priest was allowed into the Holy of Holies—the most sacred part of the Tabernacle. Once a year, he would enter to make atonement—making amends—for the sins of the people. This one priest represented all of Israel before God. He was the mediator between the people and God.
But when Jesus came, he made a way for each individual to have direct access to God. I don’t have to go through a priest or a saint or a pastor or any other person. I can talk directly to God.
Jesus is my Priest and Mediator. That’s why I often end prayers with the phrase “in Jesus’ name.” It’s not a requirement to end prayers that way, but it’s one way I can acknowledge that Jesus made a way for me to go directly to God and ask him for anything. I can be confident that God hears, accepts and cares for me.
Because of Jesus, I can have direct fellowship, communion, and conversation with God. He wants to be my friend! There is no better time to start talking to him and spending time with him than today.
In summary:
Because sin separated humanity from God, we needed a Mediator—and Jesus became that bridge through his death on the cross, reconciling us to God and giving us direct access to Him. Unlike in the Old Testament, where only a high priest could approach God on behalf of the people, Jesus made a way for each of us to personally come before God without barriers. Through Christ, my sins are no longer counted against me, and I am invited into fellowship, prayer, and friendship with God. This gift of reconciliation is not just for me to receive but also to share, as God has entrusted me with the message of bringing others back to Him.
Bottom Line:
Jesus is my Mediator who reconciles me to God, giving me direct access to Him and inviting me into a personal relationship. I should spend intentional time talking with God today—pray directly to Him in Jesus’ name, knowing I am fully heard, accepted, and loved.
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