The Heavenly Sanctuary: Christ's Ministry Today

Lesson: Intercession and Advocacy

Welcome back, dear friends, as we continue our journey into the profound truths of God's dwelling place and Christ's ongoing ministry. We've seen that Jesus is our Great High Priest, serving in a sanctuary not made with human hands, and that His blood provides perfect atonement for our sins. Today, we're going to focus on a truly comforting aspect of His heavenly work: His continuous intercession and advocacy on our behalf. What an amazing thought – that Jesus Himself stands before the Father, constantly pleading our case and securing our salvation!

Our Advocate with the Father

One of the most reassuring truths in all of Scripture is that we are not left to face our sins and shortcomings alone. We have a powerful friend and defender in heaven. The apostle John brings this truth home to our hearts:

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

1 John 2:1

Think about that word, "advocate." In ancient legal systems, an advocate was someone who spoke on behalf of another, a legal representative who pleaded their case. When we sin, and let's be honest, we all do (1 John 1:8), it can be easy to feel despair or condemnation. But John reminds us that we have Jesus, "the righteous," as our advocate. He doesn't minimize our sin, but He stands in our place, having already paid the penalty for that sin. His righteousness covers our unrighteousness, and He presents His perfect sacrifice on our behalf. This isn't about excusing sin, but about receiving forgiveness and restoration through His gracious work.

Always Living to Make Intercession

Not only is Jesus our advocate, but He is also our intercessor. This means He continually pleads for us. The book of Hebrews beautifully articulates this:

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

The phrase "to the uttermost" is incredibly powerful. It means completely, perfectly, without reservation. Because Jesus "ever liveth," His intercession is continuous, unbroken, and always effective. He doesn't just intervene occasionally; He is perpetually engaged in the work of securing our salvation. This ongoing intercession covers every moment of our lives, every temptation, every weakness, every prayer. It's His constant presence before God, ensuring that the benefits of His sacrifice are applied to us.

Who Can Condemn Us?

The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, asks a series of rhetorical questions that highlight the profound security we have in Christ's intercession:

Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 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 8:33-34

This passage is a cornerstone of our assurance. If God Himself justifies us, and if Christ Himself, who died for us, rose again, and now sits at God's right hand making intercession for us, then who indeed can condemn us? No one! Our salvation is not based on our perfect performance, but on Christ's perfect work. His intercession is the ongoing application of His finished work on the cross and His resurrection power. It means that when Satan, "the accuser of our brethren" (Revelation 12:10), brings charges against us, Jesus is there to answer them. He points to His own sacrifice and His covering righteousness.

The Efficacy of Christ's Intercession

Consider the power and authority of Christ's intercession. It's not a plea that might be rejected; it's a High Priestly ministry that is always accepted by the Father. Why? Because Jesus is perfectly righteous, and His sacrifice was perfect. The Bible tells us:

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

1 Timothy 2:5

He is the sole mediator, the only one who can bridge the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity. His intercession is founded upon His perfect life, His atoning death, and His glorious resurrection. This is why we can "come boldly unto the throne of grace" (Hebrews 4:16), knowing that our prayers are heard and accepted through Him.

His intercession also extends to our daily struggles and temptations. He understands our weaknesses because He was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). This empathy fuels His advocacy for us.

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Hebrews 4:15

Because He understands, His intercession is not just a legal transaction, but a deeply compassionate act of love.

Living in the Light of His Intercession

What does this mean for us today? It means we can live with profound peace and assurance. We are not expected to be perfect before we can approach God, but we are invited to come as we are, confessing our sins and trusting in our Advocate. It encourages us to:

• Confess our sins: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). Our Advocate is ready to forgive.
• Pray with confidence: Knowing Jesus is interceding for us gives us courage to pray for ourselves and for others. "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).
• Resist temptation: We know that even when we stumble, we have a Helper. "The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations" (2 Peter 2:9).
• Live with assurance: Our salvation is not dependent on our fluctuating feelings or performance, but on Christ's unwavering ministry. "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6).

The work of Christ as our intercessor and advocate is a continuous, powerful, and loving ministry that secures our salvation and gives us daily access to God's grace. It is the very heart of His ongoing work in the heavenly sanctuary.

Reflection Questions

1. How does knowing that Jesus is your personal "advocate with the Father" (1 John 2:1) impact your feelings about your own sin and shortcomings?
2. What does it mean to you personally that Jesus "ever liveth to make intercession" for you (Hebrews 7:25)? How does this give you assurance?
3. Read Romans 8:33-34 again. In your own words, explain why no one can condemn those who are in Christ.
4. How does Christ's ability to be "touched with the feeling of our infirmities" (Hebrews 4:15) strengthen His role as our intercessor?
5. In what ways can a deeper understanding of Christ's intercession empower your daily walk and prayer life?

What a privilege it is to have Jesus, our risen Lord, constantly ministering on our behalf in the heavenly sanctuary! His intercession and advocacy are the bedrock of our hope and the guarantee of our salvation. Let us praise Him for this incredible ministry and live each day in the light of His unfailing love and grace.