The Gap

Not the Clothing Store

Today I want to talk about the gap, but I am not talking about the store that you used to find in the mall. (Kids, malls were these places where you could shop in a bunch of different stores all in one building. This was way back in the stone ages before Amazon.) So, if I’m not talking about the store what do I mean by the gap. Well the gap is the chasm that exists relationally between two parties. For example, a couple whose marriage is in trouble might need a counselor or a wise other couple to stand in the gap and help bring about reconciliation. Oftentimes in legal disputes attorneys can stand in the gap and help negotiate equitable solutions without coming all the way into the courtroom. But in the scripture we are confronted with the grand canyon of relational separations in the gap between the holy and righteous God of the universe and the whole of sinful, wicked humanity including you and I. So, who is going to stand in the gap for us?

Not Moses

In the Old Testament the Lord provided a leader who stood in the gap for His people. Moses was extraordinary because he served as a type of prophet and judge over God’s people. Probably the best word to capture Moses' role in the redemptive purpose of God is that he was a deliverer. The Lord used Moses as His instrument to deliver His people out of the land of Egypt, out of the grip of Pharaoh, and out of the wilderness wandering leading them right up to the entrance into the promised land.

During this time, Moses spoke to the people on God’s behalf and went up onto the mountain and into the tent of meeting to meet with God, so that he could speak to the people the words of God. Moses is the prototype of a savior in the Old Testament. Yet, in Jeremiah 15, God says that even if Moses were to stand in with the people He would not be with them because of how they have broken His commandments and hated all His ways. We might think that He was only referring to the generation that was going to be taken into exile in Babylon, but the reality is that every generation of sinful humanity is guilty of this kind of sin, blasphemy, and rebellion. Moses was not a sufficient Savior because, while God used him to bring temporal deliverance, the people didn’t stay saved. 

Not Samuel

At the end of the period of the judges God again raises up a savior. As a matter of fact, the judges are a period where many flawed and imperfect people served as judges and saviors of God’s people. This is a reminder that they always needed a true Savior who could deliver them from their sin and rebellion. Samuel becomes the man of God who stands in the gap during his ministry between God and humanity. However, Samuel was also not the complete savior because He also was not able to bring to the generations of Israel a lasting peace or secure salvation. Again in Jeremiah 15 God also states that even if Samuel stood before Him these people including us all would not be able to remain in His awesome presence because of our sin and iniquity.

Only Jesus

But praise be to God He has provided a mediator who can stand in the gap for us. Paul says that Jesus being the God-man is able to be the one mediator(1 Timothy 2:5-6). Because Jesus is one who stands in for humanity in genuine perfection while also representing the radiance and holiness of the invisible God (Hebrews 1:1-3). Jesus is the only Savior able to save and deliver sufficiently, completely, and surely. 

The point is simple: Jesus Saves! He does not try to save or simply want to save or make salvation possible but instead He saves fully and completely everyone who trusts in Him. Know this - all others, those ‘would be’ saviors and tempting idols, will not ultimately be able to save you. Only Jesus can save you. And when Jesus saves and delivers you it’s for keeps. While both Moses and Samuel failed to keep the people saved Jesus and kept His people forever!

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