The Intercessory Ministry of Christ
The intercessory ministry of Christ is His ongoing work as the heavenly High Priest, constantly appearing before God the Father to plead our case, advocate for believers, and apply the benefits of His atoning sacrifice, ensuring our salvation, forgiveness, and empowerment against sin and temptation, acting as our perfect Advocate based on His finished work. This ministry involves revealing God's character, presenting our needs, and empowering believers through the Holy Spirit, making all Christians participants in intercession for others as well.
Key Aspects of Christ's Intercession:
- High Priestly Role: He functions as our eternal priest, presenting Himself and His perfect life/sacrifice to the Father on our behalf.
- Advocacy: He is our lawyer, defending us against Satan's accusations and pleading for our forgiveness and complete salvation (1 John 2:1).
- Application of Redemption: His intercession brings the power of His death and resurrection to bear on our lives, enabling justification, sanctification, and transformation.
- Revelation: He reveals God's character and values to humanity, showing God's heart for His people.
- Empowerment: Through His intercession, the Holy Spirit is given, empowering believers to live victoriously.
- Continuous & Authoritative: It's a simultaneous, ongoing act from His throne, not a separate task, and it is powerful and effective because it's based on His inherent worth.
How It Relates to Believers:
- Model for Believers: Jesus's ministry calls all Christians to intercede for all people (1 Timothy 2:1).
- Our Advocate, Not Saints: We have direct access to God through Christ, making Him our sole advocate, negating the need for saints to intercede for us.
- Foundation of Hope: His persistent advocacy gives believers unshakable confidence and hope in forgiveness and eternal life.
Here are some key Bible verses related to the intercessory ministry of Christ:
- Romans 8:34 states that Christ Jesus is at the right hand of God and is interceding for us.
- Hebrews 7:25 highlights that Jesus always lives to intercede for those who come to God through him, enabling him to save them completely.
- 1 John 2:1 refers to Jesus Christ the righteous as our Advocate with the Father.
- Hebrews 9:24 explains that Christ entered heaven itself to appear in God's presence on our behalf.
- 1 Timothy 2:5 identifies Christ Jesus as the one mediator between God and humanity.
- Isaiah 53:12 mentions that the Messiah bore the sin of many and makes intercessions for transgressors.
- Luke 22:32 records Jesus praying for Peter's faith during his earthly ministry.
- John 17, known as Jesus' High Priestly Prayer, includes Jesus interceding for his disciples and all future believers.
Christ's intercession allows believers to approach God's throne of grace with confidence to receive mercy and find help.
The Intercession
By: R.C. Sproul
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6E6-LQHYLPc
The Spirit Prays for Us
By: John Piper
Praying in the Closet and in the Spirit
By: John Piper
