Why was it requisite that the Mediator should be God and man in one person?
It was requisite that the Mediator, who was to reconcile God and man, should himself be both God and man, and this in one person, that the proper works of each nature might be accepted of God for us, and relied on by us as the works of the whole person.
The Necessity of a Divine-Human 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 both fully God and fully man, united in one person. This unique union of natures was essential for several reasons, each crucial to the salvation of humanity.
The Perfect Union
The hypostatic union, the term used to describe the union of Christ’s divine and human natures in one person, is a profound mystery. It is a testament to God’s infinite wisdom and power, as He orchestrated this miraculous event to bring about our redemption. Matthew 1:21 and 1:23 highlight this union, stating that Jesus would be born of a virgin and called Immanuel, meaning “God with us.” This affirms His divine nature while acknowledging His human birth.
Acceptance of Works
The Mediator’s dual nature was necessary for the proper works of each nature to be accepted by God for us and relied on by us as the works of the whole person. Christ’s divine nature gave His human actions infinite value and efficacy. As Hebrews 9:14 states, “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?” His sacrifice was acceptable to God because it was offered by a divine person.
Reconciling God and Man
The Mediator’s role was to reconcile God and man, a task that required Him to be both divine and human. His humanity allowed Him to identify with us, experiencing our temptations and sufferings, while His divinity enabled Him to offer a perfect sacrifice for our sins and bridge the gap between us and God. As Matthew 3:17 declares, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased,” affirming Christ’s unique position as the perfect Mediator.
The Cornerstone of Faith
The Mediator’s dual nature is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. 1 Peter 2:6 quotes Scripture, stating, “Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, and he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.” This verse emphasizes the importance of Christ as the foundation of our faith, a foundation built upon His divine-human person.
As Herman Ridderbos states in his document, “In the pronouncements of Paul it is often placed over against ‘enmity,’ ‘alienation’ (Rom. 5:10; Eph. 2:14ff.; Col. 1:22), just as in a positive sense it has the meaning of ‘peace’ (cf. Rom. 5:1, 10; Eph. 2:15ff.; Col. 1:20ff.).” This highlights the Mediator’s role in reconciling us to God, removing the enmity caused by sin and establishing peace between us.
In conclusion, the hypostatic union of Christ, His divine and human natures in one person, was not an arbitrary theological construct but an absolute necessity for our salvation. Only a divine-human Mediator could bridge the gap between God and man, offering a perfect sacrifice for sin and providing the means for our reconciliation with God. 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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