Jesus, the Intercessor

Isaiah 53:12 - "Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

John 14:6 - "Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (NIV)

Romans 8:33-34 - "Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died–more than that, who was raised to life–is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us." (NIV)

Hebrews 7:25 - "Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them." (NIV)

Hebrews 10:19-22 - "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." (NIV)

Man's sin required a perfect sacrifice for the restoration of intimacy with the Father. There was only One who could be the perfect sacrifice. The Father offered his most precious sacrifice, his Son, Jesus. As the ultimate intercessor, Jesus represented the character of his Father to us as he lived on earth (John 1:14, 18). He came in flesh to show us what the Father is like. The intercessor not only prays, but models the Father's character to the world around him. Then, Jesus laid down his life for us as the perfect sacrifice. This was his "once and for all" (Heb. 10:10) act of intercession. In other words, his perfect sacrifice is unrepeatable.

But, Jesus "always lives to intercede for us" (Rom. 8:34). Since he rose and ascended to his Father, he is alive right now and applying his "once and for all" intercessory sacrifice to the moments of our lives. He not only saves us at a point in time, but also saves us thoroughly and completely (i.e. sanctifies us) as we walk through life. We truly have a wonderful intercessor in Jesus.


For More Study
  • Romans 8:28-39
  • 2 Corinthians 5:11-21
  • Ephesians 2:11-22
  • Hebrews 9:11-28
  • Revelation 1:9-20

Thoughts and Questions for Application
  1. Jesus' work of intercession was also in showing us the Father. How can you reflect the Father to those around you today?
  2. Look at the sacrifice of Jesus. Explain the relationship between sacrifice and intercession.
  3. Notice how Jesus perseveres in his intercession for you. He always lives to intercede for you. (Heb. 7:25). How does that make you feel?

Memorization

Hebrews 7:25 - "Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them." (NIV)