My Mediator - Not Just Any Man

My Mediator must be a TRUE MAN (that is a real man) in order to bear the curse of the covenant.

• My Mediator could not be an animal or an angel, 
• for my just God will not punish a different creature for the sins which I have committed.
• I sinned, not an animal or an angel.
• Thus, God will only punish me, not an animal or an angel.

My Mediator must be a true man, that is, real man, in order to fulfill the demand of the covenant.

• God established His covenant with man whom He created in His own image.
• I was made to know God as no creature knows Him. 
• I was made to love God as no other creature loves Him.
• No other creature can render the perfect obedience out of love that God demands of me in the covenant.

My Mediator must be a Righteous man (righteous means to be free from the guilt and pollution of sin) in order to bear the curse of the covenant.

• As a sinner I owe a great debt to God.
• And as someone who is deeply in debt myself, I cannot pay for the debt of someone else.
• Someone who is a sinner cannot pay for the sins of another.
• For this reason my Mediator had to be free from debt (sin).
• Only then could He possibly pay for the debt (sins) of mine and others.
• For this reason my Mediator had to be a righteous man.

Furthermore, my Mediator must be a righteous man, free from pollution of sin, so that He might fulfill the demand of the covenant.

• He must not share in the horrible corruption that has come upon me as a fallen man.
• His understanding must not be impaired, nor his heart sinfully inclined, or his will enslaved to evil.
• He must be pure in heart, clear in understanding and free in will, so that He can render that perfect obedience which God requires in the covenant.

Heidelberg Catechism Lord's Day 6

Adapted Excerpt from Only By True Faith by Van Delden