Theology of Worship Part 11: Jesus, the Mediator in Worship

Act of Worship

The centrality of Christ in worship has been discussed to this point, but the mediation of Christ should be given special attention. Jesus’ mediation is often considered in soteriological terms rather than in its necessity for Christian worship. Nonetheless, as Christ’s mediation is necessary in Christian life, it is also necessary in Christian worship, as worship is the overarching purpose of life.

Christ mediates the practice of worship in his ever-present work. Jesus mediates before the Father in that he exists as the arbitrator between his people and the Father so that what the Father receives is transformed through Jesus as a pleasing offering. Without such transformation, God’s people could only offer filthy rags to God. In Christ, however, what is offered to triune God is good and right.

Additionally, Jesus works with the Holy Spirit to radically transform the lives of his people. Jesus’ sending of the Holy Spirit is meant to testify to his own works and glory as God. Further, Jesus’ work testifies to the glory of the Father so that God’s work in the lives of his people is trinitarian in nature. Through the Holy Spirit, God’s people rightly worship God as what they offer to him is transfigured into the righteousness of Christ and the Father receives it as a blessing to him.

Believers should realize the great need all people have for the mercy of God, which is abundant in Jesus Christ. Mercy is the greatest need any person has. In worship, God’s people exercise the copious grace given by God through Jesus and return a pleasing offering to him. Christ, therefore, mediates not only a new a better covenant but pleasing worship as the body of Christ exhibits God’s glory.