Mediator

A mediator (Greek mesites, from mesos, middle) is an intermediary who stands between two parties to effect reconciliation or agreement. The concept pervades both Testaments. Moses functioned as mediator of the Mosaic covenant, standing between God and Israel at Sinai (Deuteronomy 5:5; Galatians 3:19). Job longed for an umpire (daysman) who could stand between him and God (Job 9:33). The entire Levitical priesthood mediated atonement through sacrifice, maintaining the covenant relationship between a holy God and a sinful people.

The New Testament declares that Christ is the singular mediator of the new covenant: "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all" (1 Timothy 2:5). Hebrews 8:6; 9:15; and 12:24 call Jesus the mediator of a better covenant established on better promises, ratified by his blood. His mediation is not merely procedural but substitutionary and atoning: he stands between God's righteous wrath and sinful humanity by bearing the judgment himself, and now intercedes for believers at God's right hand (Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:34).