“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).

At this time of year we are reminded of this wonderful announcement which the angel made to the shepherds on the night of our Savior’s birth. There is no sentimentality here. This is not simply a “Hallmark moment.” God had become a man. Why did he do this? We know why. The angel made it clear—“Unto you is born…a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” This is the good news the angel brought to the shepherds. But why is it good news? It’s because we need a mediator.

Anytime you get into trouble you need a mediator. A few years ago we came home from church and were greeted by the flashing lights of what seemed to be every available police car in Charleston. Something had happened at our house. As I drew closer, I could see that the car we had not used that morning was smashed. Upon further investigation, I discovered another vehicle in my backyard. It had torn up our yard and ploughed through our fence after it rammed into our car. Fortunately no one was seriously injured. With that thought out of my mind, one thought, and one thought only dominated my mind—I hope whoever was responsible for this damage has good insurance. Imagine my surprise when I was told by the insurer of the man who did thousands of dollars worth of damage to my property that they were not going to pay. “Our client has a medical condition, so he can’t be held responsible,” I was told. I was in trouble. I needed a mediator.

A mediator resolves disputes between parties. You will never appreciate what a mediator does for you unless you grasp the seriousness of the problem you have. This is why the book of Hebrews is so helpful. We are all in trouble and we need someone to be our defender, our mediator.

This is why the incarnation is so important. In becoming a man, Jesus became one of us. He identified with us. He became our brother. If Jesus is not fully man with flesh and blood, if Jesus is not fully identified with humanity then he cannot be our mediator and his death cannot atone for our sin. If Jesus is not our brother, then his fight with death and victory over it cannot free us from the master that enslaved us after the Fall. But Jesus is our brother. He is our mediator. And he is there for us when we are in trouble.