In today’s lesson, I want to remind you of why we truly need Jesus in our lives. We’ve already talked about the importance of God and the Bible, but today, let’s focus on Jesus. Why is He so essential? Why can’t we go through life without Him? I want to talk about two roles that Jesus plays: Jesus as our mediator and Jesus as our mentor.
First, let’s think about Jesus as our mediator. Imagine a situation like a labor union where there’s a go-between who mediates between the workers and the company. Jesus is like that for us—He is the go-between, the one who stands between us and God. Without Jesus, we’d have no way to be reconciled to God. Paul tells Timothy in 1 Timothy 2:5, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” Jesus restores the broken relationship between us and God. Sin had separated us, but through Jesus, we are brought back into fellowship with Him.
Think about that word “reconcile.” It means to restore something that was lost. And that’s exactly what Jesus does for us. 2 Corinthians 5:18 reminds us that God reconciled us to Himself through Jesus. He didn’t count our sins against us but instead gave us a way back to Him. That’s why we can be called ambassadors for Christ, representing Him in our lives. We are restored, and now we represent the One who reconciled us to God.
Now, Jesus doesn’t just reconcile us, but He also intercedes for us. There are times when you may not know what to say in prayer. Your heart is heavy, and you’re unsure how to express it. Jesus steps in and intercedes for you, taking your needs to the Father. Romans 8:34 says, “Christ Jesus… is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” He is always advocating for us, ensuring that we have constant access to God’s grace and mercy.
Not only is Jesus our mediator, but He is also our mentor. He is the teacher, the coach who guides us through this life. In John 10:10, Jesus says, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” He wants us to have a rich, abundant life—a life filled with peace, love, joy, and hope. Jesus isn’t just interested in getting us through this life; He’s teaching us how to thrive in it, how to live a life that reflects God’s love and grace.
Think of Jesus as a coach. Just like a coach teaches you how to improve, how to play the game well, Jesus teaches us how to live well. He teaches us how to find peace in the midst of turmoil (John 14:27), how to experience a joy that is unshakable (John 15:11), and how to love as He loves (John 15:9). He gives us hope, even in the face of death, promising that those who believe in Him will live forever (John 11:25).
But as much as Jesus teaches us by His words, He also leads by example. He showed us what it means to serve others and to remain humble. Philippians 2:5-8 tells us that even though Jesus was God, He took on human form and became a servant, humbling Himself even to the point of death on a cross. That’s the kind of mentor we have in Jesus—one who doesn’t just tell us what to do but shows us through His actions.
Finally, Jesus models perseverance. When life gets tough, when we face struggles and trials, we can look to Jesus as the example of endurance. Hebrews 12:2 says He endured the cross, despising the shame, and now sits at the right hand of God. When we feel weary, we can take heart, knowing that Jesus has gone before us and endured far more than we ever will. He understands our struggles, and He is with us through every challenge.
So, why do we need Jesus? We need Him as our mediator—the only One who can reconcile us to God. We need Him as our mentor—the One who teaches us how to live a full and abundant life. Without Jesus, we are lost. With Him, we have everything we need for this life and the life to come.
If you haven’t made the decision to follow Jesus, now is the time. Hear His gospel, believe in Him, repent of your sins, confess Him as your Savior, and be baptized. This is the way to begin your journey with Jesus as your mediator and mentor. And if you’ve already begun that journey but have stumbled, you can always come back to Him. He is ready to intercede for you, to restore you, and to continue guiding you through life. Don’t wait—Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Let Him lead you today.
