The advocacy and intercessory work of Jesus today is often and largely misunderstood. Take a quick look at two words:
An advocate is one that pleads the cause of another for justice. He stands on the behalf of another to plead for justice. Or he is one who speaks in favor of somebody/something.
An intercessor is one that stands in between two people or things to bridge the gap between them.
Intercession is to bridge the gap that exists between two things. The concept of intercession must be taken for what it is. Intercession in itself is not prayer, but there is a prayer of intercession.
For instance, if two friends are in a fight, there exists a gap between them. They probably will keep malice, snap at each other, and generally will not relate closely as friends. But if you get to bring them together as friends again, you have succeeded in bridging that gap. You have simply interceded. This doesn’t necessarily suggest you have prayed. But when the intercession is done by prayer, then it can be termed ‘prayer of intercession’.
In Hebrews chapter 7 verse 25, the writer of Hebrews is not necessarily saying Jesus is interceding for us by prayer.
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25)
Rather it says, “those he saves, he makes intercession for them by being alive forever”. Furthermore, this is not saying that Jesus can keep praying for us because he is alive. Certainly not! His being alive is the intercession. And not only is he alive, but he is also alive seated at the right hand of the Father.
“And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” (Ephesians 2:6).
“Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such a high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;” (Hebrews 8:1).
Hence, since Jesus is forever seated, anyone saved i.e. in Him is forever seated with Him at the right hand of the Father. In other words, there’s no gap between the person and the Father forever. Jesus has forever bridged the gap between God and man by His redemptive work.
So Jesus is not praying to intercede for anyone. THAT IS NOT HIS JOB! His death, burial, resurrection, and thereby Him seated at the right hand of the Father is the intercession!
“Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” (Romans 8:34).
“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:” (Hebrews 9:24).
The Lord Jesus appeared in the presence of God for us to bridge the gap between us and God forever. He entered into heaven to sit at the right hand of God i.e. he assumed the highest place of authority for man. Glory to God!
“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:” (1 John 2:1).
Him seated is a proof that he has dealt with sins (our sins of course) forever, because his death, burial, and resurrection was for sins – (2Cor 5:21, 1Cor 15:3-4)
Jesus the advocate and the intercessor is not one fighting a battle today. He has won already. His redemptive sacrifice has brought about an eternal victory! He is seated because the work is done! He is the advocate and intercessor today because He has finished the work!
HE IS NOT PRAYING, HE IS SEATED!
Confession:
I have one who speaks in my favor and stands as my surety before the Father based on the finished work of Redemption. He has pleaded my cause, He has bridged the gap. He is alive in me in all of His Glory, and I’m in Him rest assured. Glory to God!
