Nov 10, 2019
Originally Presented: October 28, 2007
Scripture Reading: Romans 8:34
There are two verses in the New Testament which, explicitly, say that Jesus intercedes for Christians . . . Romans 8:34 and Hebrews 7:25. According to the Hebrews passage, this intercession is part of Jesus' ministry as our High Priest.
This intercession ministry of Christ takes two forms. The first way Jesus intercedes for His people is that He provides, in Himself, a reconciliation between Christians and God. As High Priest, He takes the blood of the sacrifice, which in this case is Himself, into the heavenly Holy of Holies to present it to God. "His presence, therefore, is a perpetual and prevailing intercession with God in behalf of his people, and secures for them all the benefits of his redemption" (Hodge, Systematic Theology, 2:592).
The second way Jesus intercedes for His people is to pray for them. The word translated 'intercede' in Romans 8:34 and Hebrews 7:25 usually has the connotation of making petitions. There is no reason, now that His sacrifice is completed, that Jesus would not pray for His own like He did before the cross (cf. Jn 17).
This intercession on behalf of Christians is effective both because of the foundation of Christ's person and work and because of His exalted position at the right hand of the Father.
Nothing could be more encouraging to us than to imagine that Christ, this very moment, sits at the right hand of supreme Majesty, petitioning Him on our behalf and for our good.