We Have a Mediator

“But how can a man be in the right before God?” ¹

These words were spoken by Job in an epic exchange between him and his friends over the age-old question, “If God is good, why is there suffering?”, or to make it personal, "If God is good, why am I suffering?" But should the question of our suffering really be targeted at the goodness and character of God, or should this question be targeted at us? Is suffering really a matter of God's failing or our failing?

Can any one of us stand before the Almighty and say, “I am good?" Who of us can truly say, "I’ve loved perfectly and lived with a clear conscience; there is no record of wrong on my slate?” For any one of us to declare himself righteous before God on the basis of his own meritorious life is at worst, arrogant and at best, uninformed. To be enamored with oneself is the blindest form of insanity. But I say this with caution and humility for this is our default tendency. This is my default tendency. Blame-shifting is my default tendency. Maybe yours as well?

The Lord, the Creator of the heavens and earth, the Maker of you and I, is far above all that we can imagine or think. His understanding is unsearchable. ² How do we, how could we, contend with such a One as this? Can we present ourselves as righteous before him? What shall be our plea, our defense before the holy and innocent One? Can any man stand blameless before the blameless One? Job himself despaired in attempting to answer

this question.

“There is no arbiter between us, who might lay his hand on us both.” ³

He sensed the weight of his own lack. Such a realization is a mercy from God.

Who may come to settle the dispute between you and God? Whose arm may stretch from heaven to earth and settle on both the shoulder of sinful humanity and a holy God? Such a one would have to be both human and divine, tasting both eternal, unblemished beauty and also knowing the frailty of this temporary life. Who can make amends? Who can satisfy justice? Who can pay our debt owed to a perfectly loving and holy God?

Only the worth of Jesus can answer the holiness of God. ⁴

Today we may respond in hope, even in the midst of outer struggle and inner conflict, and say with Paul who was no stranger to the battle between good and evil, Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! ⁵

We can be grateful that we have a mediator, one who lives to make request on our behalf, always. His name is Jesus.

Scripture References

¹ Job 9:2

² Isaiah 40:28

³ Job 9:33

⁴ Revelation 5:9

⁵ Romans 7:25

In Job 9 (NIV) we read,

• His wisdom is profound, his power is vast. (v4)

• He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea. (v8)

• If he snatches away, who can stop him? Who can say to him, ‘What are you doing?’ (v12)

• If it is a matter of strength, he is mighty! And if it is a matter of justice, who can challenge him? (v19)

• He is not a mere mortal like me that I might answer him, that we might confront each other in court. (v32)