MT, Christ's Intercessory Work In Heaven

Christ’s Intercessory Work In Heaven

Introduction:

Christ's priestly office consists of two parts,

• Offering Up Himself As A Sacrifice.

1 Timothy 2:5-6  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

6Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

• Making Continual Intercession For Us.

Hebrews 7:25  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.

The Intercession Of Christ is a theological term for Christ’s activity of petitioning God the Father to save, help and sustain people on earth.

• The Greek word for “intercession”, díôåýîåéò, means to “meet, approach or make an appeal” and is used to plead to God for another person.
• The Hebrew word for “intercession” means to “strike” and has the idea of to assail or encounter with a request.

Intercession refers to bold praying; to standing before God on behalf of another person. The Scripture declares that Jesus Christ is our Intercessor. He is the One who stands between God and us on our behalf. We will consider His role as intercessor and see just what it involves.

I.                   | He Represents UsHe Assures UsHe Defends Us |

Christ Represents Us.

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 OT one of the priest’s functions was to petition God on the people’s behalf. In particular, on the annual Day of Atonement the high priest carried the blood of the sin offering into the Holy of Holies, sanctified the sacred place by means of incense, and sprinkled the sacrificial blood on and about the “mercy seat”.

Leviticus 16:11-19  And Aaron shall bring the bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and shall make an atonement for himself, and for his house, and shall kill the bullock of the sin offering which is for himself:

12And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the Lord, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the vail:

13And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the Lord, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the testimony, that he die not:

14And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times.

15Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the vail, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat:

16And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness.

17And there shall be no man in the tabernacle of the congregation when he goeth in to make an atonement in the holy place, until he come out, and have made an atonement for himself, and for his household, and for all the congregation of Israel.

18And he shall go out unto the altar that is before the Lord, and make an atonement for it; and shall take of the blood of the bullock, and of the blood of the goat, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about.

19And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel.

Likewise, after Christ offered Himself on the cross as the sacrifice for sins, he ascended to the Father and entered the Heavenly sanctuary where He now represents His people.

Hebrews 7:25  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.

The apostle John also described that ministry

1 John 2:1  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:

An “advocate” is a legal counselor who appears before a magistrate to plead a client’s cause. The word from which advocate is translated is ðáñÜêëçôïí paraclete. This is the same word Jesus chose to describe the Holy Spirit to His disciples.

John 14:16  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

John 14:26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 15:26  But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

There is an old saying in the judicial world that goes something like this,

A man that would defend himself has a fool for an attorney.

John thus pictured the ascended Lord as appearing before God on behalf of his people, presenting his own obedience and suffering as the ground for the believer’s acquittal. He declares our standing to the Father noting that we are joint heirs with Him.

Romans 8:17  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Matthew 12:50  For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

In the words of the Puritan John Owen (1616–83),

The intercession of Christ … is his continual appearance for us in the presence of God, representing the efficacy of his oblation, accompanied with tender care, love and desires for the welfare, supply, deliverance and salvation of the church.

Hail, Thou Once-Despised Jesus! (182)

Jesus, hail! Enthroned in glory, There forever to abide;

All the heavenly hosts adore Thee, Seated at Thy Father’s side.

There for sinners Thou art pleading, There Thou dost our place prepare,

Ever for us interceding, Till in glory we appear.

II.                | He Represents UsHe Assures UsHe Defends Us |

Christ Assures Us.

Hebrews 4:14-16  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

15For 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.

16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

With such a High Priest, it follows that believers should approach the throne of grace with confidence. Few expressions excel the memorable phrase “throne of grace” which suggests,

·        The Sovereignty of the One they approach since they come to a “throne”.

·        The Compassion of the One they approach since we can fully expect to receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Without Christ mankind is destined to fear everything in this life and the next but in Christ we are granted boldness in the One Who assures us of His care for us.

Hebrews 10:19  Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

Hebrews 10:35  Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

This is Christ’s claim for each believer’s right of access to the divine presence. Most ancient rulers were unapproachable by the common people. Some would not even allow their highest-ranking officials to come before them without permission. Queen Esther risked her life in approaching King Ahasuerus without invitation, even though she was his wife.

Esther 5:1-2  Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.

2And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.

Any penitent person, no matter how sinful & undeserving, may approach God’s throne at any time for forgiveness and salvation confident that he will be received with mercy and grace.

Ephesians 3:11-12  According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

12In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

Hebrews 10:19-22  Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

20By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

21And having an high priest over the house of God;

22Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

1 John 4:17  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

III.             | He Represents UsHe Assures UsHe Defends Us |

Christ Defends Us.

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

34Who 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.

Paul asked and answered two questions, both legal in nature. The first was “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect?” The word charge means to make a formal accusation in court or to press charges.

Acts 23:29  Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.

Acts 26:2  I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:

Satan is identified as “the accuser” of God’s people.

Zechariah 3:1  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.

Revelation 12:10  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.

Satan’s accusations against believers are valid, because they are based on our own sinfulness. But Satan’s accusations will be thrown out of court, because it is God who justifies. The Judge Himself declares the accused person righteous on the basis of his faith in Jesus Christ. As a result all accusations are dismissed and no one can bring an accusation that will stand.

Romans 3:24  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Romans 5:1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Though Satan’s accusations are relentless, Jesus will receive none of them.

1 Peter 5:8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Job 1:6-11  Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.

7And 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.

8And 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?

9Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?

10Hast 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.

11But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

Job 2:1-5  Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the Lord.

2And the Lord said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

3And 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? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.

4And Satan answered the Lord, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.

5But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.

Conclusion:

Christians are to learn from Jesus Christ to approach God confidently trusting in his perfect atoning sacrifice for sins as our great high priest and through him to offer themselves in worship and service.

Jesus Christ as our Intercessor:

• Represents Us
• Assures Us
• Defends Us

Spurgeon stated,

• If Christ appears in heaven for us, let us be glad to appear on earth for Him.
• If Christ pleads with God for men, let us not be backward to plead with men for God.
• If He by intercession saves us to the uttermost, let us hasten to serve Him to the uttermost.
• If He spends eternity in intercession for us, let us spend our time in intercession for His cause.

He confesses us before God and the holy angels. Let us not be ashamed to confess Him before men and devils.