Our Pleading Savior

Our Pleading Savior: Hope in Our Trials

Bible Passage: James 5:7–12, Hebrews 5:1–10, Job 1:6–22

Summary: The intercessory role of Jesus as our High Priest who empathetically pleads for us encourages us to persevere in our trials.

Application: Encourage Christians facing hardships to look to Christ as their advocate, reminding them that they are not alone in their struggles. By understanding Jesus' role, they can find peace in the midst of suffering and strengthen their resilience.

Teaching: Jesus understands our pains and advocates for us before the Father. We can draw strength from His example and find comfort in knowing that our trials do not go unnoticed.

Point to Christ: Christ serves our the ultimate intercessor. His empathy in suffering, demonstrated in His sacrifice and current position as High Priest, underscores His commitment to standing beside His people during their struggles.

Big Idea: In all of life's trials, we can trust that our Savior is pleading for us and empowering us to endure, offering hope and resilience through His love and intercession.

1. Patience in Waiting

James 5:7-8

James emphasizes patience in trials. Just as a farmer waits for the harvest, we are encouraged to wait upon the Lord during trials.

This waiting is not passive but filled with faithful expectation of Christ’s return, reminding us that His intercession is active and ongoing.

This can strengthen our hearts, knowing that, as we wait, Jesus is our intercessor, advocating on our behalf.

2. Perseverance with Integrity

James 5:9-12

Grumbling against one another during difficult times is discouraged.

“There’s a tendency for people who are regular complainers to make a situation messier than it was when it started.”

Instead of doing something, we become comfortable being passive and relying on others to fix things for us. We surrender our agency and our strength to endure to find a hopeful solution.

Christ made pleas for us, and then he did something about it, putting his life on the line, taking a risk for us. Knowing this we should be encouraged to reflect that grace to others.

Taking the risk to have faith, trusting God’s direction and taking the next step, is actually know risk at at. God will us through.

3. Priestly Empathy

Hebrews 5:1-4

Qualifications for those in the priesthood.

Jesus' perfect empathy and understanding makes him perfect suitable for his role as our perfect High Priest.

Christ’s role as High Priest can assures us of his genuine empathy in their struggles and His capability to intercede effectively.

Assurance comes from knowing Jesus himself was appointed and understands our weaknesses fully, yet he calls us to persevere.

4. Empowered through Intercession

Hebrews 5:5-10

Jesus was appointed by God as our High Priest.

Jesus’ obedience and role, emphasizes His ongoing intercession for each of us.

Jesus was born through to a mother, grew to adulthood, called and taught his disciples, was crucified, and buried.

And yet, Christ rose from the dead and is alive to advocate for each of us. Because of this we find strength strength through faith, knowing our Savior empowers us to endure.

5. Unseen Advocacy

Job 1:6-12

Job's initial testing illustrates the unseen spiritual dynamics behind human suffering.

Job believed in a future directed by God’s mercy and grace even through unspeakable loss.

While trials are physically and spiritually challenging, Jesus stands as our advocate, our constant intercessor.

He is actively involved in heavenly advocacy, offering us support during our trials.

6. Faithful Response to Trials

Job 1:13-22

Job was faithful in the face of devastating loss. While Job cried out to God and recognized God’s sovereignty over the world, he did not accuse or curse God.

He clung to God in faith.

We know something today that Job does not, we know that Christ, the Son of God and Our High Priest, pleads for us, we don’t have to do it ourselves or only through imperfect intercessors.

Even in the darkest times, Christ’s love and intercession provides each one of us strength and hope to persevere.

Application:

When facing challenging situations at work, such as tight deadlines or conflict with coworkers, it can feel isolating. Remind yourself that Christ is advocating for you. Take a moment at the start of your day to pray, asking for wisdom and strength. Consider initiating a weekly prayer group with colleagues who share your faith. This will provide a support system where you can pray for each other’s challenges, allowing the hope of Christ’s love to transform the atmosphere in your workplace into one filled with encouragement.

If you're feeling overwhelmed by family responsibilities, especially during a crisis or a stressful period, remember that Jesus is interceding for you. Set aside a specific time daily, perhaps after dinner, to gather your family for prayer. Share your burdens and concerns with each other and invite Jesus into your struggles. This open communication not only fosters unity but also reassures you that you are not alone. Trust that through this act of surrender, you're empowered to endure, and your family will experience resilience together.