(Special Note: I do not take credit for this outline and I do not know the source, however I have used it because I believe it communicates clearly the need for our Saviour Jesus Christ. Pastor Overton)

Occasionally a Union will go on strike against an Employer for more wages, benefits or better working conditions.Sometimes the negotiations between the two parties break down and it seems as if an agreement is impossible to reach. Usually at that time there will be a call for someone to mediate or be a mediator between both parties so that a settlement can be made. It is hoped that the mediator will bring both sides back together, that peace be established between them and an agreement made so that all could return to work and a prosperous life.

The relationship between God and man is much the same in that man has rebelled against God’s commandments and has fallen into sin. The Bible states in Romans 3:23 that “…all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” and in Ecclesiastes 7:20 that “… there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.” Sin separated man from God. The prophet Isaiah said in Isaiah 59:2 that “…your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”

This case, where man will not hear God and God will not hear man, requires a mediator in order to restore peace and harmony between God and man. The mediator of a labor strike must fully understand the assets of the company and the demands of the employees in order to reach an agreement that satisfies both parties. The Lord Jesus Christ being both God and man, Divine and human totally understands and undertook the task of a perfect Mediator.

The Master Mediator:

1. Must Be A Friend To Both Parties. John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” There can be no doubt that The Lord Jesus Christ is a friend of God the Father, for the Father has said, “… this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” He is also a friend of sinners in that He willingly laid down His human life and shed His precious blood to make atonement for our sins. 1 Peter 3:18 “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:”

Jesus is both Divine and human (cf. 1 Timothy 3:16 “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”) and is duty bound to be perfectly honest and just.

2. Must Be Familiar With The Total Problem. Hebrews 4:15-16 “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

He knows the inability of man to make himself right with God and He knows that with God all things are possible. Our God has experienced our trials and temptation in the flesh. He has experienced hunger, thirst, weariness, loneliness and the hatred of others in order to be our Mediator and our Advocate before God the Father.

3. Must Be Fair In His Proposal. 2 Corinthians 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” Hebrews 9:24-26 “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.”

There will never be a more graceful offer made to mankind. The word of God clearly explains that Jesus Christ bore our sins and paid for our debt of sin by the sacrifice of Himself. He not only paid our sin debt, but also now appears in the presence of God the Father on our behalf as our Advocate. 1 John 2:1 “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:” This puts every man who hears or reads the gospel message within reach of forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life because the conditions required are possible for all mankind to meet. God has only required that a person see his need for a Saviour and humbly come by prayer to Him via His Son Jesus Christ, believing that Jesus is Lord and that He rose from the dead. Romans 10:8-13 ₈“But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; ₉That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. ₁₀For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. ₁₁For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. ₁₂For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. ₁₃For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Every person is made responsible for either receiving or rejecting this offer and every person receiving this offer will rejoice for totally trusting Him.

4. .Must Be Faithful In His Promises. Hebrews 7:23-28 “And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.”

The Bible states in Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that he should lie;...” God is able to keep His word and abide by His promises. He will never abase His position.

5. Must Be Fearless In His Person. Matthew 7:28-29 “And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”

The Lord Jesus Christ does not use double talk and there is no downgrading the little man, for God is not a respecter of persons. (Acts 10:34) The rich, the powerful and the famous have no special influence on our Lord. He will not be moved by money or social position. He has established the rules for fellowship with God the Father and those rules state that there is one way and one way only to the Father. John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

6. Must Be Final In His Plan. Hebrews 6:17-19 “Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;”

The offer of salvation is final and there will be no changes for friends, concessions to foes, nor will there be any compromise by force. John 3:36 “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

7. Must Be Firm In His Persuasion. John 7:37-39 “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)”

Jesus also said: Matthew 11:28-30 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” And Jesus said in John 6:37 “…and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”

Conclusion: There is one and only one who can restore and redeem us unto God and that is The Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 4:12 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Hebrews 2:3 “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;”

The truth is; there is no escape without The Master Mediator. Call upon God the Father in the name of His Son Jesus Christ and ask Him for forgiveness of sin and for the gift of eternal life today: “…for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13.