In 2 P 1' the Greek text toO 9fou i)iiui' Kal cuittj- pos ^lyjffoO XpiaToO (cf. f : rod KvpioO T}fiC}v Kal (Tuttj- pos 'IrjffoO XpiaroC) calls for the translation, 'Our God and Saviour Jesus Christ.' Tiius the deity and redemptive work of Christ are presented. Cf. also ' the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ '(1"), ' the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ ' (v.'"). In 2' the heretics are described as ' denying even the Master that bought them.' In 3^ Jesus is described again as ' the Lord and Saviour.' The Lord Jesug is to return for His people (ch. 3).
6. Epistle to the Hebrews. — The mediatorial work of Jesus is the distinctive note in this wonder- ful book. Everything turns on the peculiar quali- fications of Christ in His humanity and deity to fulfil His mission as Redeemer from sin. The Jews had challenged the worth of Christianity in com- parison with Judaism. They claimed the superi- ority of Judaism in the revelation in the OT, in the fact that this revelation was mediated through angels, in the greatness of Moses, in the glory of the Aaronic priesthood, in the promises to Israel. It was an impressive plea, and Christianity was made to appear barren beside the richness of ritual and worship present in Judaism. The reply is a striking apologetic for Christianity as in all points superior to Judaism by showing that in each of these points the former has the advantage. The revelation in Christianity comes through the Son of God as compared with the OT prophets (1'"'); Christianity is mediated through the Son of God, who is superior to angels both in His Divine nature as God's Son (l*-2'') and in His human nature as the Son of man (2'"") ; Jesus is superior to Moses since He is God's Son over God's house, not a servant in the house (3'-4'^) ; the priesthood of Christ is superior to that in Judaism (4"-12^) since Jesus Himself is a better High Priest than Aaron (4i4_ij28) . jjg ig ti^e minister of a far better covenant (8''") ; He now ministers in a better sanctuary (9*"") ; He otters a better sacrifice which is His own blood (9"-10'*), and His work rests on better promises (10"'-12'). The argument is masterful and complete, and furnishes the richest interpreta- tion of the work of Christ in existence. It is a complement to the teaching of St. Paul in its emphasis (4"-12') on the priestly work of Jesus. But for Hebrews we should have only glimpses of this aspect of Christ's mission. The wealth of material in the Epistle renders extended comments on important passages im])ossible. In the very first section (1''^) we see the nature of Christ s Person as the effulgence of God's glory and the
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MEDIATION, MEDIATOR
MEDIATION, MEDIATOR
very image of His substance. His work is described as universal in the cosmic relation (creation) and maintenance of the universe (cf. Col I'™) ; but He is described at once as the Priest who made puri- fication of sins and as He Wlio sits on the right hand of tlie Majesty on high as the Mediator between (Jod and man. Jesus — and tlie writer loves the human name — is qualified for His work as the Son of God, and is thus superior to angels (l* 2') by the high inheritance as Son. But Ills humanity likewise equips Jesus for His task. He is the representative man (2''"), fulfilling man's highest destiny ' because of the suffering of death,' which He tasted ' for every man ' (v.'). The Incarnation perfected the human experience of Jesus through sufferings (v.'°) and made Him a sympathetic High Priest as He makes propitiation (IXiffxeo-flai) for the sins of the people, equipped by suffering and temptation to succour the temptea (v.'*). Our Mediator thus has power with the Father as His Son and commands our sympathy and confidence as our Elder Brother (v.'"-). Jesus is ' the apostle and high priest of our confession' (3'). The double nature of Jesus as Son of God and Son of man makes a powerful appeal to Christians to come boldly to the throne of grace, for grace to help in time of need (4"''*). Jesus, like Aaron, has both human sympathy and Divine appointment (5'"'). By His obedience and suffering He became the Author of eternal salva- tion (v.*'-). But Jesus is far superior to Aaron in that He is like Melchizedek (S'" 7^). He has His priesthood unchangeable (7^"), ' wherefore also he is able to save to the uttermost them that draw near unto God through him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them ' (v.^"). Being free from sin He is the kind of Priest that sinners need (yy 26-28^ He is ' the mediator of a better covenant ' (8^) in that tliis covenant is one of grace in the heart and not mere ineffective form. So He is the ' mediator of a new covenant ' (9'^). His sanctuary is heaven itself, ' the greater and more perfect tabernacle' (9"), into which He entered once for all, having obtained eternal redemption (v.'^). He is both Sacrifice and High Priest (cf. W. P. DuBose, High Priesthood and Sacrifice, 1908). His ottering is His own blood, that of the God-man, which was voluntary and so with moral value in the realm of spirit (v.'*'-). This offering was made once for all (fij-al, v.**) and really accomplishes cleansing from sin (lO'-'"). He will come a second time for salva- tion alone (9^). The blood of Jesus has given us boldness to enter into the holy place (lO'*"-)- There is no other sacrifice for sin if we reject this (v.^*). The heroes of faith hold on to the promise of the Messiah which has come true in Christ Jesus, who is Himself the best example of faith, the Author and Perfecter of our faith (11^-12^). Once more the writer speaks of ' Jesus the mediator of a new covenant ' ( I2^''). Christians should be loyal to Christ. He has not changed (13*). He suflered without the gate that He might sanctify His own people through His own blood, and, if need be, we should be willing to leave the camp of Judaism and take our stand with Jesus, bearing His re- proach (v.'^). God brought from the dead ' the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, even our Lord Jesus' (v.'"').