The Intercessory Work of Christ
The Intercessory Work of Christ
INTRODUCTION Is Christ idle today? What is He doing now? Does He spend all His time preparing mansions for the redeemed? This is one of His important tasks.
John 14:2, "In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. " In addition to this ministry Jesus is actively engaged in the ministry of intercession.
Hebrews 7:25, "Seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them."
Hebrews 9:24, "For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. .. A priest is a mediator, one who intercedes with a just God on behalf of guilty sinners.
Leviticus 4:16-18, the priest bears a bloody sacrifice or a sin offering to the Lord.
Job’s desire was for a mediator, a daysman in his day. Job 9:33, ?Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both."
We thank God often for Bethlehem and Calvary and we must also thank Him for His present advocacy at God’s right hand on our behalf.
Day by day our High Priest pleads on our behalf to the Father God.
CHRIST’SATONING WORK WAS FINISHED ON EARTH
On the cross Jesus said, "It is finished," John 19:30. Salvation is perfectly complete. Sin was righteously dealt with at the cross. Jesus will never die for sin again.
Hebrews 9:24-28 shows the sin and error of Romanism daily offering Mass. The Romanists actually try to re-enact Calvary each time a Mass is offered.
We consider this as blasphemy for it does despite to the Holy Scriptures.
CHRIST MET THE CONDITIONS OF BECOMING A PRIEST
Hewas taken from among men. Hebrews 5:1, "For every high priest taken from f men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins."
Hewas ordained or appointed to the task. Hebrews 3:2, ". . . Christ Jesus. . . who was faithful to Him that appointed Him (as High Priest)..."
Hewas called of God to the task, Hebrews 5:4-5.
Heserved in things pertaining to God. Hebrews 2:17, "... that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people."
Heoffered gifts and sacrifices for sins, Hebrews 5:1. Jesus Christ offered Himself.
CHRIST WAS MADE A PRIEST AFTER THE AARONIC PATTERN On earth Jesus never acted as a priest. He never entered the Holy of Holies.
Bothoffered sacrifice before the people. Jesus publicly offered Himself at Calvary.
Bothappeared in God’s presence for the people.
Bothcame out to bless the people.
However, Aaron as a man died. Jesus as God ever liveth to intercede for us. In this respect Jesus follows the Melchisedec pattern, a priest without end, Hebrews 5:6.
CHRIST OFFERED HIMSELF AS THE SACRIFICE ON CALVARY
While we were yet sinners the Saviour died for us. He died at Jerusalem, without the gate upon that cross of shame. His sacrifice was:
1. Voluntary, of a free will, Hebrews 10:5-10. He offered to die.
2. Substitutionary, Hebrews 7:24-28. He died instead of me.
3. Spotless, Hebrews 9:14, He was without spot, the perfect sinless Lamb.
Withblood, Hebrews 9:12, His own blood, Divine blood, Acts 20:28.
Acceptable,Hebrews 13:20-21. The Father’s justice was satisfied.
Final,Hebrews 7:27. There is no need for a re-enactment of Calvary.
CHRIST NOW APPEARS IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD FOR US
Theplace: In heaven. Hebrews 9:1-8 tells of the responsibilities of the priest. Hebrews 9:11-12,"But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He in, once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption." Hebrews 9:24, ?Christ . . . is entered into heaven itself. . ." Acts 7:55.
Forwhom? His own. Hebrews 9:24, ". . . now to appear in the presence of God for us." See also Hebrews 7:24-25, interceding for those who come to God.
Basisof His plea is His own blood. Hebrews 9:12, ".. . by His own blood. . ." In John 17:1-26 (His High Priestly Prayer), Jesus speaks of the finished work.
Actualplea: a. For grace to be given to the saints in need, 2 Corinthians 12:9.
For strength to be given to the weak, John 17:11..
That we may be kept from sin and temptation, John 17:15.
That we shall be forgiven when we confess our sins, 1 John 1:9. .
That we have power to witness for Christ, Acts 1:8.
That we be conformed to the image of Christ, Romans 8:29.
Purpose of the plea: a. To sustain life, Hebrews 9:24.
To give cleansing, 1 John 2:1.
To give grace and help, Hebrews 4:15-16.
To secure victory, Hebrews 2:17-18.
CHRIST IS OUR ADVOCATE NOW
Satan is the accuser of the brethren at the throne of God, Job 1:6-12. To counteract the accusations of Satan we have a lawyer at the court of heaven. Our lawyer-advocate is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. 1 John 2:1, "My little children, these things I write unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And He is the propitiation for our sins." The sacrifice becomes the lawyer. When we sin He pleads for us on the ground of His finished work and Calvary. The saint then receives the Father’s forgiveness for the sake of the Saviour, 1 John 1:9.
CHRIST OFFERS TO BE YOUR INTERCESSOR TODAY
If we do not ask for forgiveness we will not receive it.
In times of severe trial we ought to be glad of a true friend at court.
The Saviour stands ready at the court of heaven to assist us.
He is willing to be our personal representative to the Father.
As we pray we place our case in His hands for His divine care.
As a true man He was tempted in all points like as we are yet He was without sin. He overcame sin and now offers that overcoming power to us.
We do not know the accusations that Satan is constantly bringing to the Father against us. Some may be true but many, many may be false.
Revelation 12:10, "The accuser of our brethren is cast down."
Our departed loved ones, saints or Mary cannot be our advocates.
CONCLUSION
Luke 22:31, "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not. " This is Christ’s present intercessory ministry on our behalf.
Since He knows all things He can pray about temptations even before they come.
Allow Him to plead your case to receive grace, strength and power for daily living.
Allow Him to plead your case to conform you to His blessed image, Romans 8:29. The intercessory work of Christ has supplied strong motives for consistent and impressive Christian living. The resurrected Christ is watching over me. The Christian soldier reckons on Jesus the Captain fighting the same battle but on a higher plane-fighting the battle in the heavenlies, Ephesians 6:12. The humblest believer now rests in the love of that unseen Friend whose faithful care is unaffected by time or events.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
What is Christ’s present work?
Is Christ still engaged in the perfecting of salvation? Explain.
What 5 conditions did Christ meet in order to become a Priest?
After what pattern was Jesus made a Priest?
Describe Jesus’ sacrifice on Calvary.
Where does Jesus perform His High Priestly duties?
Name 5 possible pleas of the High Priest.
Why is it necessary to have a High Priest in Heaven?
What comfort do we draw from Revelation 12:10?
Was Christ’s prayer in Luke 22:31 an extraordinary event? Why?