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In this series we're talking about the names and descriptive
phrases identifying Jesus. Thus far we've talked about Jesus
as God,
Lord,
Savior,
Christ,
Creator,
the Word,
the Son of
God, the life,
the Light,
the Lamb
of God, the Firstborn,
the head
of the church, our high
priest and King, (also see high
priest and King),
an Author, a Shepherd,
and the propitiation
for our sins.
In this article, we talk about Jesus as our Advocate and
mediator.
Advocate
The Greek word parakletos appears five times in the
New Testament, and is only used by the apostle John.
- It's used four times referring to the Holy Spirit in
the gospel of John, and is translated "Helper" (NASB,
NKJ) or "Comforter" (KJV) (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7).
- It's used once referring to Jesus in First John, and
is translated "Advocate" (1 Jn. 2:1).
Parakletos literally means "called to one's side"
for aid (Vine's).
- "It was used in a court of justice to denote a legal
assistant, counsel for the defense, an advocate; then,
generally, one who pleads another's cause, an intercessor,
advocate, as in 1 John 2:1, of the Lord Jesus" (Vine's).
- "In the widest sense, it signifies a 'succorer, comforter'
. . . (Vine's).
In John 14:16, Jesus promises to send "another" Helper,
thus also referring to Himself as a Helper.
- "'I will ask the Father, and He will give you another
Helper, that He may be with you forever'" (Jn. 14:16).
And in 1 John 2:1, the apostle John uses parakletos
of Jesus as our Advocate.
- "My little children, I am writing these things to you
so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an
Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous"
(1 Jn. 2:1).
Jesus, Our Advocate
Jesus is our parakletos (Advocate). He is the one
who comes to our aid when we sin, to stand by us and plead
our case before God, interceding for us upon the throne
of God, as we confess our sins (1 Jn. 1:8-2:2).
- Jesus' blood cleanses us from all sin (1 Jn. 1:7).
- Jesus is the propitiation for our sins (1 Jn. 2:2).
Therefore, as John indicates with the word parakletos,
Jesus is our Comforter and Helper in heaven, as the one
who pleads our case before God.
Mediator
The word "mediator" is a verb translated from mesites,
and literally means "a go-between," in which it's used two
ways relating to Jesus (Vine's).
- Jesus is the mediator between God and man, producing
peace (1 Tim. 2:5).
- Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant, which man
could not secure for himself (Heb. 8:6; 9:15; 12:24).
Jesus: Mediator Between God and Man
In one respect, the word "mediator" is used of Jesus as
one who mediates between two parties to produce peace (Vine's).
- "For there is one God, and one mediator also between
God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Tim. 2:5).
We have peace with God through Jesus, having been purified
with His blood, and no longer enemies of God (Ja. 4:4).
- "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have
peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom.
5:1).
So then, we have the peace of God in Christ Jesus.
- "And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus"
(Phil. 4:7).
Jesus: Mediator of the New Covenant
In another respect, the word "mediator" is used of Jesus
mediating the new covenant.
- "And to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant,
and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better
than the blood of Abel" (Heb. 12:24).
- "For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant,
so that, since a death has taken place for the
redemption of the transgressions that were committed under
the first covenant, those who have been called may
receive the promise of the eternal inheritance" (Heb.
9:15).
It wasn't possible for man to mediate this new covenant
for himself. Thus, God sent Jesus to mediate it by offering
Himself as a sacrifice and shedding His blood, which is
the blood of the new covenant (Matt. 26:28; Heb. 12:24).
Conclusion
Jesus is our Advocate and mediator.
Jesus is our Comforter and Helper in heaven, pleading
our case before God, making intercession for us as our Advocate.
Jesus' advocacy is only possible because He's also our
mediator, our go-between, whereby we have peace with God,
having been purified from our sins with His blood, in the
covenant relationship He mediated on our behalf.
Thanks be to Jesus Christ, without whom we'd have no chance
of salvation.
To be continued.
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