Jesus, Our Mediator

February 26, 2021

“Truly I know it is so, But how can a man be righteous before God?"

~Job 9:2~

When Job was caught up in the devil's bet he lost everything he had and he was at his weakest point in his entire life. Satan thought he could Job to turn on his faith. When his friends began to point fingers at Job claiming it was clearly his fault and he needed repentance, Job refused to accept that was the case. He continued to refuse that he had done anything wrong to deserve such a punishment. The irony in this is in a way he was a sinner who needed to repent, but then again so was his friends. He may not have deserved to lose everything but this whole argument his friends laid upon him was foolish on their part. They were pointing fingers at one man when they should of been wondering about themselves needing repentance as well. As I have said they were all sinners, just as we are all sinners; "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)

While it is true that Job followed the law of Moses and offered up burnt offerings for the sins of his family and himself as often as he was supposed to, Job never considered himself to be truely righteous; "So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did regularly."

(Job 1:5)

Job's question to his friends in this verse is pretty amazing as we look back before Christ would be born as our perfect Mediator. "How can a man be righteous before God?" We know that some in the Old Testament were counted for righteousness by God who had followed him whole heartedly and obeyed His every command. Abraham; "just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

(Galatians 3:6)

Noah; "By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith."

(Hebrews 11:7)

Abel; "By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks."

(Hebrews 11:4)

All of these men had their very act of faith and obedience accounted to them for righteousness by God. Is it true that we are righteous on our own? No it is not. Righteousness can only come from God. These men were faithful to the Lord and in this God granted them this. Before Jesus, we did not have a covering of righteousness in a way that woud give us eternal life. Perhaps this is why these men and women in the Old Testament had this accounted to them for their obedience? I do not have the answers of course but it is a neat concept to think about. The only way to heaven is through faith in Jesus, through His righteous covering that we attain eternal life. What about those of the times before Christ? Did they not have a way at all? Perhaps this was their way. Perhaps because they loved God so much and believed Him by faith it was accounted to them for righteousness and they could then be with God in heaven. Its rather beautiful to think of this. Before Jesus there was not such an wonderful gift to receive for many.

"for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God." (James 1:20)

Many wicked generations suffered their own wrath due to a disobedient lifestyle.

Perhaps because of Jesus' sacrifice now many more have a way into heaven then ever before just by faith in Him.

"Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life."

(Romans 5:18)

Our Lord Jesus gave Himself as a judgement for all of our unrighteousness. Under His suffering we have an open door we may enter to heaven if we choose to do so.

"Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep." (John 10:7)

Jesus' door is easy to choose but we are still called to obey Him to the end. "And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved."

(Matthew 24:12‭-‬13)

As in the Old Testament there were things people needed to do to remain obedient, just as today when we choose Jesus' righteousness we do not have a free pass to sin rather to love Him faithfully to the end. Under Jesus it is accounted to us for righteousness, Glory to God! We are so very blessed to have this Way. We are so lucky to not have to sacrifice animals for our sins any longer. The Blood of Jesus covers a multitude of sins! "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ." (Ephesians 2:13)

Now our answer to Job's question is "we can be righteous before God through our Lord Jesus Christ, His very own Son." We will be able to talk to Job about it one day im sure! Although I am sure he knows now. What a beautiful thing that our Father can look at us and see His Son. None of us truely deserve this but He gave us that ability to choose so. Repentance is still important for us, true repentance. We must let go of things that can hold us back from true obedience. We must let go of any pride and sense of control as Job's own friends held onto. When we point fingers at others and say "repent!" We should take a step back ourselves and should be repenting as well. "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent." (Revelation 3:19)

The Lord wants us to have our house in order. When Job said this very verse, he held on to a sense of humility. He knew he could not be righteous on his own. His faith never wavered and he never gave up on God; neither should we. We are so blessed to have our precious Mediator who gives us a way to come to God's throne boldly. He tore the veil from top to bottom and allowed us complete access by faith. We no longer need a mortal high priest. We have our One Eternal High Priest who makes us joint heirs with Him; "and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together." (Romans 8:17)

Without Jesus we would would be wondering the same thing Job wondered all those years ago.

Prayer:

Gracious God, thank you for Your amazing grace that has made a way for an immediate opening to righteousness. When my Father sees me He sees You Jesus, as I am clothed in Your righteousness. I know it is my job to repent of any known and unknown sin. If there is anything now that I may be holding on to, Lord I ask for Your forgiveness. Holy Spirit keep filling me and leading me down the path the Lord wants me on. I am so grateful for the mercy seat on which You sit as You intercede on my behalf each day. I praise You for such a gift You chose to submit to give us all in order to allow us access to heaven through Your Blood. As You did for Job, I believe many blessings are on my way and I receive them, I rejoice with You and I thankfully pray this in Your most Holy and Righteous Name, my Mediator Jesus Christ. Amen.