Definition of intercession
According to Webster 1828, intercession refers to the act of interceding; mediation; interposition between parties at variance, with a view to reconciliation; prayer or solicitation to one party in favor of another, sometimes against another.
Why does Jesus Christ intercede for us?
- Christ’s work is to intercede to God for all of humanity. His intercessory ministry still takes place now.
Hebrews 7:23-25: “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 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:”
- In the past human life (earthly ministry), Jesus was a prophet.
Matthew 21:11 “And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.”
In the present, Jesus is a priest. The priestly ministry is to intercede to God for the sinners.
Hebrews 3:1: “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;”
In the future, Jesus is to be a King.
Revelation 19:13: “And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.”
Revelation 19:16: “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”Word refers to Jesus Christ.
John 1:1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
John 1:4: “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” - In the Bible, the 3 main roles that God appointed were a prophet, priest, and king. No one has ever been appointed with the 3 titles except Jesus Christ.
Why is Jesus Christ the best intercessor for us?
- Job wanted a mediator or intercessor.
Job 9:33: “Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.”
But Christians have Jesus Christ as the mediator or intercessor between God and man. He is the only one who fully understands the nature of God and man.
1 Timothy 2:5: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;”
Jesus had a flesh body of a man.
1 Timothy 3:16: “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”
Jesus understood the infirmities of man.
Hebrews 4:15: “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.”
Conditions of a High Priest
- He was taken from among men.
Hebrews 5:1: “For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:”
Hebrews 5:5: “So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.” - He was ordained or appointed for the task.
Hebrews 3:2: “Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.”
- He was called by God.
Hebrews 5:4-5: “And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.”
- He served in things pertaining to God.
Hebrews 2:17: “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.”
- He offered gifts and sacrifices for sins.
Hebrews 5:1: “For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:”
- He entered the holy place.
Hebrews 9:7: “But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:”
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:”
Aaronic and Melchisedekian Patterns of the High Priest
Jesus had both patterns:
Hebrews 5:4-6: “And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”
- Aaron offered earthly sacrifices for the sins of people.
(Aaron)
Leviticus 9:7: “And Moses said unto Aaron, Go unto the altar, and offer thy sin offering, and thy burnt offering, and make an atonement for thyself, and for the people: and offer the offering of the people, and make an atonement for them; as the LORD commanded.”
(Jesus)
Hebrews 5:1-6: “For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” - Aaron appeared in God’s presence for the people.
(Aaron)
Numbers 20:6: “And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they fell upon their faces: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto them.”
(Jesus)
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:” - Aaron blessed the people with priestly prayer.
(Aaron)
Leviticus 9:22: “And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings.”
(Jesus)
Acts 3:26: “Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.” - Jesus changed from the Aaronic to the Melchisedekian pattern. He abided a priest continually and offers perpetual intercession.
Hebrews 7:1-3: “For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.”
Hebrews 6:20: “Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”
The Sacrifice of the High Priest
- The high priest can offer the blood of animals, but Jesus Christ is an even better high priest. He offered His own blood, divine blood in his sacrificial death. In doing that, we have everlasting life.
Hebrews 9:12-14: “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”
- The high priest had to offer sacrifices (like the blood of bull) continually, but Jesus Christ offered the final sacrifice.
Hebrews 10:11-12: “And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;”
- High priests can only enter into the holy place once a year with the blood of an animal. Jesus can enter the holy place multiple times with His one sacrifice at Calvary.
Hebrews 9:7: “But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:”
Hebrews 9:24-25: “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: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;”
- The high priest had to offer sacrifices daily, first for himself, then for the people. Jesus offered it all once for the people.
Hebrews 7:27: “Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.”
Plea of Intercession
- The Basis of the Plea: The Blood
Hebrews 9:12: “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”
Hebrews 9:24-25: “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: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;” - The Actual Plea
– Strength is given to the weakJohn 17:11: “And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.”
– Faith will not fail
Luke 22:31-32: “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: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”
– Corrects prayers according to God’s will to make them effectual prayers
Romans 8:27: “And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
Revelation 2:23: “And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.”– Kept from sin and temptation to live a holy life
John 17:15: “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.”
– No condemnation
Romans 8:34: “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.”
- The Purpose of the Plea
– Men can enter the holy of holies in heavenHebrews 10:19-21: “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God;”
– Men can remain sinless
1 John 2:1-2: “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: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
– Men can receive sympathy
Hebrews 4:15: “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.”
– Christian saints can approach God boldly without fear
Hebrews 4:14-16: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
– Men can have victory over temptations in daily life
Hebrews 2:17-18: “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.”
Advocacy of the Intercessor
Satan on the other hand, has the ministry of accusation and accuses men daily in front of God, but Jesus keeps advocating for them and He is their intercessor.
Revelation 12:9-10: “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.”
Job 1:6-12: “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.”
1 John 1:9 – 1 John 2:1: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 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:”
Zechariah 3:1-4: “And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.”
As a devotional application to the intercessory work of Christ, we can learn about effective prayer: the basis of our petitionary prayer is the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ (Heb 9:12). Our prayer life can only be successful when we take the form of prayer that goes according to the Lord’s will (Rom 8:27). A prayer warrior is assured of his salvation (Rom 8:34) and offers intercessory prayer in confidence.