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MediatorAid to Bible Understanding
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Other mediatorial work
A body of more than six hundred laws was given to Israel through Moses, including the priestly statutes. Moses performed many miracles by the power of God in behalf of the people. He interceded for them, pleading with Jehovah to spare them for Jehovah’s name’s sake. (Ex. 32:7-14; Num. 14:11-20; 16:20-22, 21:7; Deut. 9:18-20, 25-29; 10:8-11) Moses had the interests of Jehovah’s name and also the people’s interest at heart even above his concern for his own welfare.—Ex. 32:30-33; Num. 11:26-29; 12:9-13.
PARALLELS IN MEDIATORSHIPS OF CHRIST AND MOSES
With respect to those brought into the new covenant, we find a situation similar to that of ancient Israel. Christians are also sinners. Since the blood of animals cannot actually remove sins (Heb. 10:4), a better sacrifice is necessary. Jesus Christ is that better sacrifice. (Heb. 10:5-10) The writer of Hebrews expresses the matter in this way. After mentioning the sacrifices offered under the Law, he says: “How much more will the blood of the Christ . . . cleanse our consciences from dead works that we may render sacred service to the living God? So that is why he is a mediator of a new covenant, in order that, because a death has occurred for their release by ransom from the transgressions under the former covenant, the ones who have been called might receive the promise of the everlasting inheritance. For where there is a covenant, the death of the [human] covenanter needs to be furnished. For a covenant is valid over dead [victims], since it is not in force at any time while the [human] covenanter is living.”—Heb. 9:11-17.
The inspired writer goes on to point out that the former covenant was not inaugurated without blood. Moses, in negotiating it, saw that the sacrifices were made and sprinkled the blood on the “book of the covenant.” (Heb. 9:18-28) Likewise Jesus Christ, God’s Mediator for the new covenant, after his sacrifice, appeared before Jehovah God with the value of his blood. Another likeness is that the Law covenant was made with a nation, not with individuals (Ex. 24:7, 8), and so, too, the new covenant is made with God’s “holy nation,” “the Israel of God.”—1 Pet. 2:9; Gal. 6:15, 16.
THOSE FOR WHOM CHRIST IS MEDIATOR
The apostle Paul declares that there is “one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus, who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all.” (1Tim. 2:5, 6) He mediates the new covenant between God and those taken into the new covenant, the congregation of spiritual Israel. (Heb. 8:10-13; 12:24; Eph. 5:25-27) Christ became Mediator in order that the ones called “might receive the promise of the everlasting inheritance” (Heb. 9:15); he assists, not the angels, but “Abraham’s seed.” (Heb. 2:16) He assists those who are to be brought into the new covenant to be ‘adopted’ into Jehovah’s household of spiritual sons, these ones eventually to be in heaven as Christ’s brothers, becoming a part with him of the seed of Abraham. (Rom. 8:15-17, 23-25; Gal. 3:29) He has transmitted to them the promised holy spirit, with which spirit they are sealed and are given a token of what is to come, their heavenly inheritance. (2 Cor. 5:5; Eph. 1:13, 14) The total number of those who are finally and permanently sealed is revealed in Revelation 7:4-8 as 144,000 persons.
INAUGURATION OF THE NEW COVENANT
After Jesus died and was resurrected he entered into heaven to appear before the person of God to present his offering, the benefits of which go first to those taken into the new covenant. (Heb. 9:24) Here he acted both as High Priest and Mediator. In harmony with the pattern followed at the inauguration of the Law covenant, Jesus Christ presented the value of his sacrifice before God in heaven (even as Moses sprinkled the blood on the book of the Law [for God was not personally present there]). Then, on Pentecost day, 33 C.E., Jesus poured out the holy spirit from God on the first ones brought into the new covenant, numbering about one hundred and twenty persons. Later that day about 3,000, Jews and proselytes, were added to the congregation. (Acts 1:15; 2:1-47; Heb. 9:19) And just as Moses read the Law to the people, so Jesus Christ clearly enunciates the terms of the new covenant and its laws to those sharing in it.—Ex. 24:3-8; Heb. 1:1, 2; John 13:34; 15:14; 1 John 5:1-3.
Holding the offices of Mediator and High Priest, Jesus Christ, being immortal, is always alive and able to plead for those approaching God through him, so that he can mediate the new covenant until those persons receiving his mediatorial assistance are saved completely. (Heb. 7:24, 25) He is able to conduct matters to the successful completion of the new covenant. Those in the covenant are eventually installed in the heavenly priesthood as underpriests with Christ, their great High Priest.—Rev. 5:9, 10; 20:6.
BLESSINGS TO MANKIND IN GENERAL
While Jesus’ mediatorship operates solely toward those in the new covenant, he is also God’s High Priest and the Seed of Abraham. In fulfilling his duties in these latter two positions he will bring blessings to others of mankind, for all the nations are to be blessed by means of Abraham’s seed. Those in the new covenant are first blessed by Christ, the primary Seed (Gal. 3:16, 29), being brought in as associate members of the seed. Being made kings and priests by reason of the new covenant that he mediated, they will share in administering the blessings of Jesus’ sacrifice and of his Kingdom rule to all the nations of the earth. Christ’s mediatorship, having accomplished its purpose by bringing the “Israel of God” into this position, thus results in benefits and blessings to all mankind.—Gal. 6:16; Gen. 22:17, 18.
There are, thus, others not of the 144,000 “sealed” ones who also pray to Jehovah God in the name of Christ, putting faith in the merit of his ransom sacrifice. This sacrifice is not only for those for whom Jesus mediates the new covenant, but also for all mankind expressing faith in Christ. (1 John 2:2) These ones not in the new covenant also appreciate that “there is not another name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must get saved.” (Acts 4:12) They, too, look to Jesus Christ as their great heavenly High Priest, through whose ministration they can get forgiveness of sin. (Heb. 4:14-16) Revelation 21:22-24 points out that ‘the nations will walk in the light of New Jerusalem,’ where Jehovah God is the light and the Lamb Jesus Christ is the lamp.
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MeditationAid to Bible Understanding
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MEDITATION
The deep, concentrated thinking in which a person seriously reflects on past experiences, ponders and muses over current matters, or thoughtfully contemplates possible future events.
In order to meditate properly one needs to be free from distractions, alone with his thoughts, so to speak. Isaac, for example, went out walking alone in the early evening to meditate, possibly about his coming marriage to Rebekah. (Gen. 24:63) It was during the solitude of the night watches that the psalmist meditated on the greatness of his grand Creator. (Ps. 63:6) The meditations of the heart should be focused on beneficial things, on Jehovah’s splendor and activities, on things pleasing to him (Ps. 19:14; 49:3; 77:12; 143:5; Phil. 4:8), and not on the devices of the wicked.—Prov. 24:1, 2.
By engaging in profitable meditation, one will not be inclined to give foolish answers, merely out of his head. His heart will work out these matters of importance and the answers given will be from the heart, and will not be something to regret later on.—Prov. 15:28.
When Joshua was appointed as the overseer of
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