…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 (1 John 2:1-2).
Some Christians, out of ignorance, say that since Jesus went to heaven, He’s been begging the Father on our behalf to have mercy on us because of our sins. Such Christians completely misunderstand our opening scripture. Jesus isn’t in heaven trying to defend you from the Father’s wrath, for the Father Himself loves you (John 16:27). On the contrary, Jesus is there to present you holy and blameless before the Father, and to strengthen your faith during times of trials (Colossians 1:22).
The intercessory ministry of Jesus on our behalf as Christians isn’t necessarily against the Father’s wrath. He intercedes for you to be strengthened when you’re going through difficulties in your life. He doesn’t want your faith to falter; so that no matter the opposition you face in this world you’ll come out victoriously. He’s on your side; therefore, it’s impossible for you to be defeated or disadvantaged!
The Book of Hebrews describes Him as our great High Priest before the Father (Hebrews 2:17; 3:1; 4:14; 8:1; 9:11), not our Mediator. He is the Mediator between God and sinners; not between God and the Church. 1 Timothy 2:5-6 says, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom, for all to be testified in due time.” He’s man’s Kinsman-redeemer, Mediator and Umpire.
However, for us who have been born again, we’ve been brought into the Kingdom and made to sit with Him at the right hand of the Father. Therefore, we don’t need Him to mediate between us and the Father any more. We’re born to live right in the Father’s presence. This is why it would be wrong and ineffective for a Christian to pray to the Father through Jesus Christ. Rather, you pray in His Name. Praying through Him is making Him a medium to reach the Father, and for the Christian, Jesus is not a medium; He’s the High Priest of our confessions. Glory to God!
PRAYER
Precious Father, I thank you for your grace, mercy and love by which I live a life of glory. I’m strengthened continually in my faith-walk, being fully assured of your eternal indwelling and abiding presence, through the Holy Spirit, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY
Hebrews 4:14-16
Living Bible (TLB)
14 But Jesus the Son of God is our great High Priest who has gone to heaven itself to help us; therefore let us never stop trusting him. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses since he had the same temptations we do, though he never once gave way to them and sinned. 16 So let us come boldly to the very throne of God and stay there to receive his mercy and to find grace to help us in our times of need.
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1 Year Bible Reading Plan: Luke 13:22-35 Judges 14-16
2 Year Bible Reading Plan: Romans 10:1-10 Psalm 119:41-64
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