Christ Our Mediator | C. J. Mahaney

C. J. Mahaney. Christ Our Mediator: Finding Passion at the Cross. Multnomah, 2004. 96 pp.

C. J.’s goal in this little book is to help his readers toward a deeper knowledge of the work of Christ. He makes it clear that he aims to follow Spurgeon’s famous line, “Abide hard by the cross, and search the mystery of His wounds.” The quote could be the theme of the book.

The gospel is the matter of first importance in Christianity. All of Scripture points to it, and all of history pivots around it. As Christians, though, it is easy to imagine that we need to move on to more challenging aspects of Christianity, even to think that, once we’re saved, we somehow mature beyond need for the gospel.

But, this book, like The Cross-Centered Life, is designed to help us fight that temptation. The gospel dramatically reshapes and controls our lives. C. J.’s intent is that the book will fuel our fire to know Christ, the cross, and the gospel more intimately.

C. J. wants us to take time to dwell on the reasons behind the cross and the oft-overlooked implications of the gospel. With a better understanding of the cross, we may, by the Spirit, come to appreciate Christ and His work more each day.

COM is structured by chapters, all dealing with an idea central to the gospel. Eight in all, they are:

• “The Divine Order”-dealing with the need to focus on the objective truths of the gospel rather than our changing feelings.
• “The Divine Dilemma”-contrasting the demands of God’s holiness and those of His love. He cannot overlook our sin, yet we’re told He desires that all would be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.
• “The Divine Rescue”-examines the unique nature of Christ, the only acceptable sacrifice for the sin of all mankind.
• “Staring into the Cup”-a contemplative look at Christ’s time with the Father in Gethsemane.
• “Your Face in the Crowd”-help in realizing our individual responsibility for the death of Christ. True, His death was applied to all mankind, but we are each accountable.
• “The Scream of the Damned”-considering the moment on the cross at which the Father turned His back on Christ.
• “What God Understands”-learning that God is aware of and touched with our infirmities.
• “Assurance and Joy”-learning to draw them both from our deeper knowledge of Christ’s work in our behalf.

The structure is designed to start at the beginning by defining the problem, then work methodically through the necessity and implications of the cross. This method helps solidify the foundations and shows more clearly the edifice built on those foundations.

The chapters, which I approached as meditations, have been greatly used to alter my thinking and response to the gospel. Each one is designed to communicate the idea clearly but personally. C. J.’s writing style is relaxed, which makes it easy to read quickly and not allow the thoughts have their full impact. His writing is such that it sounds like his preaching. He ends every chapter with a specific model prayer, which also double as short summaries that crystallize the chapter’s ideas.

COM is an easy book, a short book. At the same time, it is a powerful read, and one that takes some purposeful thought to fully grasp. As short as the book is, it is perfectly sized for re-reading and study. The outline of the book is also ideal for small-group study, and the reading level is relatively easy, which is also helpful in group settings.

Matt McCarnan
Community Manager, PastorResources.com
July 17, 2007

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