Our Advocate

1 John 2:1–2 KJV 1900

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.

John is writing this to his beloved so that they would not sin.

What question would these two verses answer?

“If I sin before such a holy, true God, what hope do I have that he might be appeased?”

We have an “advocate” - helper, intercessor, used in a court of justice of a legal aid...John uses this word of the “Comforter” in the gospel of John.

Still - what makes Jesus a suitable, legal aid?

(a) He is the Christ ().

This points to his fulfillment of all that the OT anticipated. Thus, as the OT “priest” of , and

How does this make him suitable? He was anointed of God - versus being anointed by another human. His anointed of God confirms his divinity, his living among men confirms his humanity - thus, He is the perfect Mediator as the anointed one.

(b) He is Righteous ()

This means that he is just, fair, equitable

It is a quality that is found in God, the Father perfectly - (just) and (righteous). Because this is true, it is something that God requires of man ()

How does this make him the suitable, legal aid? He is the only one who had the righteousness that allowed him to approach and offer up to God? Anyone without this suitable righteousness, deserves the just wrath of God. God is not pleased with anything less than this righteousness.

(c) He is Propitiation ()

This means that he is the appeasing sacrifice, atonement, sin-offering.

- God’s love is shown in the fact that He sent Jesus to be this appeasing sacrifice. Thus, God not only requires this righteousness, but he does everything necessary to fulfill this payment.

This points to Jesus as the fulfillment of the “atonement” of the Old Testament of

The extent of this atonement should not be overlooked - He appeases God for our sins: (i) past (ii) present (iii) future

The extent of this atonement is also that it is available for the sins of the whole world. It is not applied to everyone but it is sufficient. This is in contrast to the OT atonement that had to be re-applied annually. Also, it was an atonement largely that took place within the commonwealth of Israel; but with Christ, salvation is offered to the world.

How does this make him the suitable, legal aid? This means that He is the only solution to the wrath of God for all people for all time.

This means that He is the only solution to the wrath of God for all people for all time.

What does this mean for our lives?

(1) We don’t have to try to be what we are not. Jesus is the perfect God/Man.

(2) We have met the requirement of God in Christ. We have been made the righteousness of God.

(3) We are well pleasing to God in Christ, so that we can do what is pleasing in His sight.

These are all realities that should assure the heart of the believer.

Application:

(1) Let God know how worthy He is tonight.

(2) Unbeliever, come to Jesus Christ tonight.

(3) Senior Saint, keep the hardships of your life in perspective of Jesus Christ and what He’s done.

(4) Career Individuals, are you anxious because of the pressure to meet expectations? Let your heart rest in the pleasure God has in YOU because of the performance of Jesus.

(5) Young Person, do you get frustrated with your struggle with sin? Find assurance: you’re accepted because of the finished work of Jesus.

(6) Church, if Jesus really is this kind of suitable Advocate, then the world must know!