Mediatory Substitution: Stepping on the feet of Christ

Post Messiah, you would think that believers would be clear that Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  Where there would be a King on Earth or a Lord... his Throne supersedes them all.  This reaches its conclusion when Jesus returns and sits on the Throne in Jerusalem.  His title will be outworked for a Thousand years.  That being the case, I want to examine the practices of those who lead in our churches.  I can't know the heart of any man, but I can observe where a leader has taken a place over and above believers in hierarchical fashion.  Here are five warnings to be constantly aware of concerning the human propensity to be 'over' others.

1) Where does this idea start?
Isaiah 14 has an account of the way Lucifer wanted to be above the Most High God.  To explore the scripture fully would make this blog too long so I will just deal with themes.  If Satan has been cast out based upon the idea that he could raise his Throne over God's, It would follow that an element of the nature of our inherited sin is wanting to 'be over.'  I would submit that the greater percentage of the worlds problems have at their core this drive to have the highest placing among others.  We would be wise to be constantly asking if we like being over other people in rank.  

2) The King Thing
In Deuteronomy 17:14f  God tells his people that a time will come when they will want a King to rule them.  God sets the criteria for this King.  It is telling that in verse 20 God says that it is vital that the Kings heart is not lifted above his brethren.  When the people had settled in the Promised Land a request is made for a King to rule them as predicted.  In 1 Sam 8 we read the account of God warning the people what this would do to their sociopolitical and economic well-being.  God had, in no way suggested that the King idea was better that his own rule.  God had simply said they would want a King.  Placing a King over people creates a 'Mediatory Substitution' where a being is placed between Man and God.  Take note of 1 Sam 8:18 where we see the consequence of having a mediator in place. Worried much? Later God chooses David to be King as his heart was after God's own.  King David would typify a King that was to come.

3) One Mediator Between Man and God 1 Tim 2:5
In the fullness of time the Messiah is born and as we know became sin for all Mankind at Calvary.  Having completed this work and having risen and Ascended, Messiah took his seat at the right hand of God the Father.    This is God's chosen Mediator and there's only one of them.  Anything that tries to get between Man and God or Man and Jesus is, by definition a 'Mediatory Substitution.'  So if we imagine an organisation flow chart it has been made really simple for us.   God is at the top and all Mankind is under God.  Between them is the one mediator:  Jesus Christ.

4) Jesus Slammed those Practicing Hierarchy Matt 23:1-12
Sitting in Moses seat was occupying the position of Moses.  Moses was the leader of the nation and the leaders of the time imagined themselves as being in that place.  This presented a slight technicality because the people still had to follow Law under those leaders.  However they should not do as they do:  present themselves as if they are superior.  The text goes on to explain in clear terms that Jesus is the only figure worthy of taking on a hierarchical position, 'so don't go even giving titles to men,' is the inference.  

5) The Nicolatian heresy
Jesus hates the deeds of the Nicolatians.  This was the practice of creating a ranked leadership structure as a platform to oppress people.  In Mark 10 Jesus speaks about the Disciples desire to be the greatest in the Kingdom.  He says those in Christ are to not do as the Gentiles do... exercise 'lordship.'  This text appears in Revelation 2-3 where the Lord is speaking to churches about their status with him as Head of the church. That Jesus hates the deeds of the Nicolatians should have us tremble at the thought that we may have become over people as leaders.  "But we don't oppress people!" The very fact that a percentage of Lordship is taken from Jesus and exercised by mere men is oppression in itself.

 If I stop the means of freedom for another I don't need whips or chains to keep a Man captive.

Above I have given examples:

• From Before Creation
• In the Old Testament
• From the Person / Position of Christ
• Jesus' comments to leaders of his day
• The Ascended, Glorified Christ's hatred for Nicolatian rank

Mediatory Substitution is the act of practicing rank / hierarchy in the leadership of God's people. We are given a mediator but for many this is a green light to step into a rank over people.  Their may be scenario's where leaders are made to be above people by the people.   In this case the leaders should examine themselves to eradicate the suggestion that they are over people.   Here is where we hit some significant problems.  The general church practice of gathering in halls with the Pastor preaching a sermon while the people listen attentively is enforcing rank and Man's authority by the way church is practiced.   

A Question... 

Tomorrow I will unpack just how the form of believers gathering together speaks into how people perceive Jesus, leadership and the role of believers in serving the Lord.   But for now a question:  Have you too readily accepted position, profile, status among your brothers and sisters?  Maybe you are called to lead but have you pretended your being over people is a burden?  Can we be honest and say there's something fulfilling to our core about having some kind of superiority over others?  

It's a starting point for the Reformation of church practice.

Gary Ward