Seven Key Truths about Jesus
Talk 6: His Abiding Intercession
The heavenly ministry of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is closely connected with the subject of his ascension into heaven which we considered last time.
It would be a mistake to imagine that when Jesus cried It is finished on the cross he had done all that he ever could do for his people
Certainly his work as a substitute and a sacrifice for our sins was complete.
But his resurrection, ascension and glorification were in a very real sense for us and form an important part of our salvation.
Romans 5:10 tells us that we are not only saved by his death on Calvary, but that he continues to save us by the power of his life.
The Bible indicates three main ways in which he does so:
Mediator, Intercessor, Advocate
Christ is our mediator
By his death upon the cross the Lord Jesus Christ atoned for our sins. He bore on our behalf the punishment that our sins deserved. He paid the price of our redemption. By his death we are reconciled to God. Jesus died as our saviour, our substitute, our sin-bearer. Now he lives as our mediator.
When two countries have been at war and cannot come to peace on agreeable terms, a representative from a third country, not involved in the fighting, will sometimes act as a ‘go-between’ or mediator between the two sides.
We were God’s enemies because of our sin, but Jesus has not only died to save us from sin’s consequences, but lives to keep us in right relationship with God.
1 Timothy 2:5 tells us that there is one God, and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.
It is through Jesus and Jesus alone that we have access to the Father, for it is he alone who has died to save us and it is he alone who lives to keep us.
Christ is our intercessor
But Jesus does not only live to act as our mediator at God’s right hand. He is also there as our intercessor.
He is able to save completely those who come to God through him because he always lives to intercede for them (Hebrews 7:25).
While he was here on earth he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears (Hebrews 5:7).
Now he is in heaven Jesus is constantly praying for us!
He has entered into heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence (Hebrews 9:24).
Why is Jesus in the presence of God? For us! Why is he at God’s right hand? To intercede for us!
Of course he is there by virtue of his own sovereign right. He is at God’s right hand because he is King of Kings and Lord of Lords! He is there because he rules the universe and because the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our God and of his Christ and he shall reign for ever and ever!
But he is also there for us!
He ever lives above
For me to intercede
His all-redeeming love
His precious blood to plead
His blood atoned for all our race
And sprinkles now the throne of grace.
The Father hears him pray
His dear Anointed One
He cannot turn away the presence of His Son
With confidence I now draw nigh
And ‘Father, Abba, Father’ cry.
Christ is our advocate
As our mediator Jesus has brought about our reconciliation to God
As our intercessor he is constantly praying for us
As our advocate he defends us against the false accusations of Satan.
Peter tells us that our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).
Revelation 12:10 suggests that his role is that of an accuser. It seems as though he is allowed to appear in the court of heaven as a kind of counsel for the prosecution.
With a little sanctified imagination let us picture the scene.
The heavenly judge, the judge of all the earth, is seated upon his throne.
The prisoner on trial is charged with transgressing the eternal law, the word of God. We tremble as we remember that like the prisoner, we too have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
It is appointed unto us once to die and after death, the judgment.
The prosecution begins his case. It is extremely lengthy, but clear and convincing. The prisoner’s whole life seems under review. Sin after sin is listed – catalogues of transgressions! Surely the verdict must be guilty.
At last the Prosecution brings his case to a conclusion. He insists that he has established the guilt of the prisoner. He reminds the judge of the eternal law: The soul that sins shall surely die. The prisoner trembles. The Prosecution demands the sentence of eternal death.
In desperation the prisoner turns to his advocate, the counsel for the defence.
Our heavenly lawyer takes his stand before the judge.
He acknowledges the prisoner’s guilt.
He does not seek to contest the charge brought against him.
It is true that the prisoner is guilty. He deserves to die.
Satan the accuser rubs his hands in glee – another victim!
But what is the defence saying?
It is true that the prisoner is guilty, but his advocate demands his release!
The punishment for the crimes of which he is guilty has already been taken.
It has been borne by another.
The advocate approaches the judge and kneels before him.
He stretches out his arms and shows him his hands.
The nail-prints are still visible.
The price has been paid. The prisoner is free.
In horror Satan recoils from the sight.
The nail-prints are the symbols of his greatest defeat.
The accuser has been overcome once again by the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 12:10-11).
He quits the courts of heaven and returns to his appointed place.
The court is silent as the advocate speaks to the prisoner:
Where is your accuser? Has no one condemned you? Then neither do I condemn you.
The prisoner is pardoned.
He was demonstrably guilty and deserving of death, but he called upon the only advocate who could save him.
No other defence is adequate against the accusations of the adversary.
But, thank God, no other defence is necessary.
We have an advocate with the Father (1 John 2:1).
His name is Jesus.
