Is Jesus the Only Mediator?

by Sebastian R Fama

I am told I cannot ask the saints in heaven for their prayers. I am told the Bible forbids it. This claim is based on 1 Timothy 2:5 which reads: “For there is one God. There is also one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all.” And so, the reasoning goes, if there is only one mediator and that mediator is Jesus, then the saints in heaven cannot help us. The claim sounds good at first. But a closer look reveals something different.

To begin with, the mediatorship of Jesus is very unique. We are given a clue to this in the very passage quoted by our friends. Notice it ends with: “who gave himself as a ransom for all.” The book of Hebrews is even more direct. It says that Jesus “is the Mediator of a new covenant.” No where and at no time has the Catholic Church claimed that anyone but Jesus mediated a New Covenant. So yes, Jesus is the only mediator of a new covenant. Furthermore, he is the only one qualified for the job.

But believers are also called to be mediators. However, we are called to be mediators of another type. Paul tells us as much: “First of all then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men” (1 Timothy 2:1). When we pray for one another, we are mediators between God and men.

We know that those who have gone on to be with the Lord can also participate in such activity. We know that they care for us and are aware of what we are doing: “There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:7). And we know that those in heaven present our prayers along with their own to Jesus: “The four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and with golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints” (Revelation 5:8). Also, “And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to mingle with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar before the throne. And the smoke of the incense rose with the prayers of the saints from the hand of the angel before God” (Revelation 8:3-4). Note that incense represents our prayers, and that the angels and elders in heaven present them to God.

In Matthew 18:10 we read: “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.” What do you suppose that the little ones’ angels would be doing on their behalf before God? Praying for them is the only logical answer.