The Names of the Mediator (2)

Angel

“TheAngelof His presence…” (Isaiah 63:9b).

Isaiah, in the 63rd chapter, speaks of Christ’s victory over all enemies. He may speak richly of it because in the ninth verse we read, “In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the Angel of His presence saved them.” The marginal notes indicate that “He was distressed or grieved because of the miseries which they endured in Egypt.” Thus, Christ is persecuted in His holy members, but it also means in the deepest sense that in all their distress there was no distress; Christ was there, and then all is well. Have you been able to experience that, too?

Here Isaiah comes to the expression “the Angel of His presence.” By this he means the Son of God, the Saviour. The word Angel means Messenger. This Messenger stands in the presence of the Lord. Christ carries out God’s commands for the benefit of His children.

It is so clear from the name Angel that the Mediator is sent by God. It is a miracle if this may be experienced in this desert life. Then this Angel is so precious: “Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared” (Exodus 23:20). He is sent by God the Father to help miserable and guilty sinners in their distress. Those sinners can never bring themselves back to God. Now God sends His Messenger to them. Thus, He wants to take care of their salvation.

The Prophet Malachi calls Christ the “Messenger of the covenant” (Malachi 3:1b). This is the Mediator of the Covenant of Grace between God and His Church. It is He who brings all the goods of the covenant to His people as a Messenger. They cannot appropriate the benefits of the Covenant of Grace themselves. That is what these poor people find out. They have no hands to take. They have no feet to go to the God of the Covenant of Grace, but what a miracle—the Mediator is the Angel; He grants them the grace they can never reach on their own. Thus, He is the Angel of the LORD. He Himself stands ready for their help. However, He is the Head of all the angels. They all serve the desert people. Surely, they will go to the Canaan of rest. This Messenger will not forsake the work begun by His own hand. Has this Angel become precious and necessary to you? —March 25, 2010, Rev. C. Neele

Apostle

“Consider theApostleand High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus” (Hebrews 3:1b).

In this text the Mediator is called “Apostle.” This name also is a preaching about His Person. The word “Apostle” means: Messenger or Ambassador. The marginal writer writes: “That is, Ambassador of the Father, to reveal unto us the counsel of God concerning our salvation.”

An apostle has a Sender. Paul knew himself to be an apostle of Jesus Christ. He appealed to his Sender several times. Peter also calls himself an apostle of Jesus Christ in his epistle. This Apostle of our profession was sent from the Father. The people, who rejected Him, therefore, also rejected the Father.

An apostle has a task to fulfill, a message to convey. Thus, this Apostle was aware of His task. In the high priestly prayer, He gives an account: “I have manifested Thy name unto the men which Thou gavest Me out of the world.” Paul calls Him a faithful Apostle. A comparison is made with Moses, who was faithful in his house, but more than Moses is here! Moses, at times, grossly shamed his Sender. That can never be said of this Apostle. That is why Paul says, “Consider the Apostle.” He is worthy of being considered.

Is He also the Apostle of our profession? This word is addressed to the holy brethren who are partakers of the heavenly calling. A calling has come to them from heaven. Therefore, these brethren have begun to call upon heaven. They first considered themselves. This is a fruit of the heavenly calling. The understanding is enlightened. They have learned that there can be no more expectation from them. They are holy but not in themselves.

Why does it remain necessary for them to consider this Apostle? It is God’s work to sanctify His own through suffering. They do not receive a heaven on earth. In that strife they may be pointed to Him. “For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted.”

Paul does not say, “Consider thyself.” Oh, then it is lost. God’s children cannot exist one moment. He does not say, “Consider Moses.” That apostle of the Old Testament could not bring the people into Canaan, but consider Jesus Christ. All attention must be on Him. The incitement of the apostle is proof that God’s children often fail to consider Him in spite of their profession. Have you once been given to see this High Priest by faith? Oh, consider yourself that you, as a lost one, may learn to cry for Him.

—January 21, 2010, Rev. A. Schot

(To be continued)

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