One Mediator, One Sacrifice
09/30/2025
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.”
– 1 Timothy 2:5-6 (NIV)
When Paul penned these words, he wasn’t writing theory, he was writing hope into a world fractured by division, false religion, and endless striving. Rome had many gods, the Jews had many laws, and the Gentiles had many doubts. Into that landscape Paul declares with bold clarity: there is only one God, and only one mediator, Jesus Christ.
A mediator is someone who stands in the gap. Think about a courtroom where you feel the weight of guilt and know the verdict won’t go in your favor. The evidence is stacked against you. But then, someone walks in, not just to argue your case, but to take the sentence for you. That’s what Jesus did. He didn’t simply negotiate terms; He absorbed the punishment we deserved and replaced it with the gift of life.
The word “ransom” is striking. In the ancient world, it referred to the price paid to set a slave free. Humanity was enslaved to sin, unable to pay the debt, unable to free ourselves. But Jesus paid with His own blood. And notice this, Paul says He gave Himself “as a ransom for all people.” This means no one is outside His reach. The vilest sinner and the most religious person both stand in need of the same Savior, and both are welcomed by the same grace.
Think of how often we slip into trying to be our own mediator. We try harder, pray longer, give more, hoping it will tip the scales in our favor. Or maybe we lean on others to do it for us, a pastor, a priest, a spiritual leader. But Paul’s reminder is life-changing: there is only one who can do this, and He already has. That changes how we live. We don’t serve God out of fear of rejection but out of gratitude for acceptance. We don’t worship to earn love but because we are already loved.
This truth also gives us peace in times of failure. When guilt whispers that we aren’t worthy, we can answer with confidence: “I have a mediator, and His name is Jesus.” When the enemy accuses, we don’t need to defend ourselves, our ransom has been paid in full.
Action steps to help on your journey:
Pray with boldness: Approach God today knowing you are welcomed through Jesus, not rejected because of your flaws.
Lay down striving: Make a list of ways you try to “earn” God’s love and surrender them to Christ.
Share freedom: Encourage a friend who struggles with shame by reminding them Jesus already paid their ransom.
Today’s Challenge:
Every time you are tempted to believe you must “earn” God’s love, stop and declare: “I have a Mediator; Jesus already paid my ransom.”
Prayer:
Father, thank You for sending Jesus to bridge the gap I could never cross. Lord Jesus, thank You for giving Yourself as my ransom, for paying the price I could never afford. Help me live in the freedom of grace, not the chains of striving. Holy Spirit, remind me when guilt and shame rise up that Jesus has already secured my access to God. In His name, Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.”
– 1 Timothy 2:5-6 (NIV)
When Paul penned these words, he wasn’t writing theory, he was writing hope into a world fractured by division, false religion, and endless striving. Rome had many gods, the Jews had many laws, and the Gentiles had many doubts. Into that landscape Paul declares with bold clarity: there is only one God, and only one mediator, Jesus Christ.
A mediator is someone who stands in the gap. Think about a courtroom where you feel the weight of guilt and know the verdict won’t go in your favor. The evidence is stacked against you. But then, someone walks in, not just to argue your case, but to take the sentence for you. That’s what Jesus did. He didn’t simply negotiate terms; He absorbed the punishment we deserved and replaced it with the gift of life.
The word “ransom” is striking. In the ancient world, it referred to the price paid to set a slave free. Humanity was enslaved to sin, unable to pay the debt, unable to free ourselves. But Jesus paid with His own blood. And notice this, Paul says He gave Himself “as a ransom for all people.” This means no one is outside His reach. The vilest sinner and the most religious person both stand in need of the same Savior, and both are welcomed by the same grace.
Think of how often we slip into trying to be our own mediator. We try harder, pray longer, give more, hoping it will tip the scales in our favor. Or maybe we lean on others to do it for us, a pastor, a priest, a spiritual leader. But Paul’s reminder is life-changing: there is only one who can do this, and He already has. That changes how we live. We don’t serve God out of fear of rejection but out of gratitude for acceptance. We don’t worship to earn love but because we are already loved.
This truth also gives us peace in times of failure. When guilt whispers that we aren’t worthy, we can answer with confidence: “I have a mediator, and His name is Jesus.” When the enemy accuses, we don’t need to defend ourselves, our ransom has been paid in full.
Action steps to help on your journey:
Pray with boldness: Approach God today knowing you are welcomed through Jesus, not rejected because of your flaws.
Lay down striving: Make a list of ways you try to “earn” God’s love and surrender them to Christ.
Share freedom: Encourage a friend who struggles with shame by reminding them Jesus already paid their ransom.
Today’s Challenge:
Every time you are tempted to believe you must “earn” God’s love, stop and declare: “I have a Mediator; Jesus already paid my ransom.”
Prayer:
Father, thank You for sending Jesus to bridge the gap I could never cross. Lord Jesus, thank You for giving Yourself as my ransom, for paying the price I could never afford. Help me live in the freedom of grace, not the chains of striving. Holy Spirit, remind me when guilt and shame rise up that Jesus has already secured my access to God. In His name, Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
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