Jesus: Intercessor

As we pray in the Name of Jesus tonight we do so after a week of fasting and prayer.

When Jesus walked the earth He was obviously an expert on prayer because He did it so much.

Matthew 14:23 (NASB95) After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.

Luke 5:15–16 (NASB95) But the news about Him was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16 But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.

Luke 9:28–29 (NASB95) Some eight days after these sayings, He took along Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming.

Luke 11:1 (NASB95) It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.”

Does that mean that Jesus, who is the Son of God, knows how powerful prayer is and wants us to do so?

I believe so.

Jesus modeled individual prayer.

But the Book of Acts on through the NT models then exhorts corporate prayer.

Jesus tells a parable about prayer.

Luke 18:1–9 (NASB95) Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, 2 saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man. 3 “There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent.’ 4 “For a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’ ” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge said; 7 now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? 8 “I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” 9 And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt:

The Fire Bible tells us: From this story, we learn several things:

(1) Prayer is our means of communicating our concerns to God; we must keep praying about all things until Jesus returns (vv. 7–8; Ro 12:12; Eph 6:18; Col 4:2; 1Th 5:17).

(2) In this life, we will face injustice (v. 3); our main adversary is Satan (1Pe 5:8). Prayer can protect us from the evil one (Mt 6:13).

(3) In our prayers, we should cry out against sin and injustice and ask God to demonstrate his perfect justice (v. 7). Our requests must be accompanied by a willingness to listen for God’s direction and to do what he tells us.

(4) Steadfast prayer shows our faith and trust in God (see v. 8, note).

(5) In the final days before Christ’s return, there will be increased satanic and demonic opposition to the prayers of God’s faithful people (1Ti 4:1), meaning that they must resist the urge to quit praying. Because of Satan’s schemes and the pleasures of the world, many will give up a persistent prayer life (Luke 8:14; Mt 13:22; Mk 4:19)

Jesus’ ministry right now is one of intercession at the Father’s right hand:

Romans 8:34b (NASB95) … Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

Hebrews 7:23-25 “The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, 24 but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. 25 Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”

As He taught us, I believe that He is now at the Father’s right hand interceding:

For transgressors of His commands: Isaiah 53:12 (NASB95) Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors.

Even those who hurt Him: Luke 23:34 (NASB95) But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” …

Why would He stop now?

For those who follow Him (Us):

John 17:9–10 (NASB95) “I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom You have given Me; for they are Yours; 10 and all things that are Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine; and I have been glorified in them.

John 17:20 (NASB95) “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word;

Even those on the verge of failure. Like Peter: Luke 22:31–32 (NASB95) “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; 32 but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

Or in failure: 1 John 2:1 (NASB95) My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;

For His followers to walk in the Baptism in the Holy Spirit: John 14:16–17 (NASB95) “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; 17 that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.

For His church: Just as Moses interceded for Israel, Jesus, who is better than Moses, is interceding for His church.

Hebrews 3:1–6 (NASB95) Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession; 2 He was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was in all His house. 3 For He has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by just so much as the builder of the house has more honor than the house. 4 For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. 5 Now Moses was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later; 6 but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house—whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.

Before we intercede for others, maybe the Lord has given you a testimony from fasting and prayer this week — maybe He revealed something to you in the Spirit.

Let’s pray.