Throughout the year, we hear about one star athlete or another who has reached an impasse in negotiating a new contract with their team. Different sports, different seasons, but the principle is the same - when both sides agree to go to arbitration, they put all their facts on the table, along with salary and contract details, and the arbitrator must decide to accept one or the other. He can't split the difference, make another recommendation, or negotiate something different. The two parties have already agreed to accept the ruling of the arbitrator. There will be one winner, and one loser.

Jesus is not an arbitrator. He is a mediator. What he does is bring the two sides together. But let's think about that for a while.