Why was it requisite that the Mediator should be God?
It was requisite that the Mediator should be God, that he might sustain and keep the human nature from sinking under the infinite wrath of God, and the power of death, give worth and efficacy to his sufferings, obedience, and intercession; and to satisfy God’ s justice, procure his favour, purchase a peculiar people, give his Spirit to them, conquer all their enemies, and bring them to everlasting salvation.
The Necessity of a Divine Mediator
The Christian doctrine of the Mediator, Jesus Christ, is a cornerstone of the faith. It was not only fitting but absolutely necessary for the Mediator to be God Himself. This divine nature was essential for several reasons, each crucial to the salvation of humanity.
Sustaining the Human Nature
First and foremost, the Mediator had to be God to sustain and keep the human nature from sinking under the infinite wrath of God and the power of death. As Acts 2:24-25 states, “But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.” This demonstrates the divine power of Christ, who overcame death through His resurrection.
Worth and Efficacy of His Work
Secondly, the Mediator’s divinity gave worth and efficacy to His sufferings, obedience, and intercession. Hebrews 9:14 emphasizes this, stating, “how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” The infinite value of Christ’s sacrifice is rooted in His divine nature.
Satisfying God’s Justice
Thirdly, the Mediator had to be God to satisfy God’s justice. Romans 3:24-26 explains that God displayed Christ “publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed.” Only a divine Mediator could offer a sacrifice sufficient to appease the wrath of God against sin.
Procuring God’s Favor and Purchasing a Peculiar People
Fourthly, the Mediator’s divinity was necessary to procure God’s favor and purchase a peculiar people for Himself. Ephesians 1:6 speaks of the “glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved,” while Acts 20:28 calls believers “the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” These verses highlight the Mediator’s role in securing God’s favor and redeeming His people.
Giving the Spirit and Conquering Enemies
Fifthly, the Mediator had to be God to give His Spirit to His people and conquer all their enemies. Galatians 4:6 assures believers that “God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’” while Luke 1:68-69, 71, 74 speaks of salvation from enemies and the ability to serve God without fear. The Mediator’s divine power enables believers to overcome spiritual adversaries and live in freedom.
Bringing Everlasting Salvation
Finally, the Mediator had to be God to bring His people to everlasting salvation. Hebrews 5:8-9 explains that Christ “learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation.” The Mediator’s divine nature ensures the eternal security of those who trust in Him.
As the document by Herman Ridderbos states, “Salvation consists in the possibility, given by God and realized by Christ, that justice is victorious in love and love in justice.” This profound truth is only possible because the Mediator is both fully God and fully man.
In conclusion, the divinity of the Mediator was not an arbitrary requirement but an absolute necessity for the salvation of humanity. Only a divine Mediator could fulfill the demands of God’s justice, offer a sufficient sacrifice for sin, and provide the power for believers to overcome their enemies and attain eternal life. The incarnation of Christ, the God-man, is the ultimate expression of God’s love and the foundation of the Christian faith.
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