The Almighty Intercessor of Heaven

Without a doubt, Christ's intercession is one of the most overlooked aspects of Christianity. We are acquainted with the kingship of Christ, the Lordship of Christ, the life of Christ, the death of Christ, and the resurrection of Christ—but the intercession of Christ? Not so, I would say. It is often neglected that it does not receive the attention that it really deserves.

 
As the first loaf of a sliced bread which sets its shape, we neglect to notice it. Thus, the intercession of Christ, which is one of the foundations of our religion, is also often unnoticed. It is beyond understanding that He from whom all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities (Colossians 1:16), the King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16), the One after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected (1 Peter 3:22), is presently interceding for us! Pause and ponder about this beautiful truth. 

What does Christ's Intercession accomplish?

Jesus intercedes so that believers will not fall out of grace. This is our Lord's promise to Peter in Luke 22. In verse 31, it tells us where Jesus said to Peter, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat.” Satan succeeded in drawing up his wicked agenda against Peter. As we read many verses later, he denied Jesus. Nevertheless, Jesus did not stop there. He continues, verse 32 reads, “but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

According to Jesus' statement, we can conclude that the only reason Peter was able to recover after he denied his Lord three times is because of Jesus' prayer. It was Jesus' prayer for Peter that his faith has not failed completely. It was Peter's protection after that tragic scenario. Christ's prayer became the safe haven of Peter after that hellish experience. 

Not only for Peter but also for those who hope in Him. For those who are like Peter and are inconsistent with their walk with the Lord. Who are "slow of faith and slow of heart.” Who could say, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” and when severe distress comes, they leave their Lord. However, Jesus is not like them. He has fixed His heart upon them. He does not condemn them. He intercedes continuously for them. Christ loves them to the end, and therefore He prays for them until the end.

“Who is to condemn?” not even Satan, “Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us” (Romans 8:34). 

“...yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12c). 

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word... Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am” (John 17:20,24).

Jesus Christ is the greatest praying-Man who has ever walked in this world. The Lord to Whom we belong loves to pray so much—although He was restored with the glory He had with the Father from eternity past, He still prays. He does not intercede for the heavenly host; He is praying for His people and for His sheep who are lost.

It was through Jesus' prayer that Peter genuinely repented, so it is for us today. It was through Jesus' prayer that Peter's faith was preserved, so it is for us today. We may not observe, we may not perceive, we may sometimes feel He is far from us, yet He is praying for us. As Robert M'Cheyne wisely said, “If could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet distance makes no difference. He is praying for me.” If the Lord wills, tomorrow we will wake up and no doubt, still a Christian, only for the particular reason—Jesus Christ is praying for us.

“It is a consoling thought,” said Louis Berkhof, “that Christ is praying for us, even when we are negligent in our prayer life.” If I have to define in more straightforward terms, what is the essence of Christ's intercession for us, it is this: Jesus loves to pray for us more than we love to pray for ourselves. Jesus loves to pray for us whenever we neglect to pray for ourselves.

How does Jesus Christ's Intercession benefit us? 

The intercession of Jesus Christ not only preserves our faith to the end but also enables us to approach God's throne boldly without fear of being rejected. I would not be afraid to come to the most powerful person in the Philippines if the one on his right-hand talks and pleads for me without ceasing. Therefore, every believer of Christ must be. To be saved from God's wrath is good, but communion with God is far better. Furthermore, this is only possible because of the endless intercession of our Great Mediator. To be prayed by other believers is good, but to be prayed by the King of Kings is the pinnacle of good things.

The intercession of Jesus Christ is the strength of each believer's leg in which he can dash forth toward God's throne speedily at any time. The gates of heaven have been swung open to him. No seraphim, no angel, nor even the chief, may be able to stop him as he advances to the throne of God. Drawing near before God is the saints' language in the Bible. Pleading on behalf of sinners before God is Christ's language in heaven. When Christ intercedes, the believer may come. Since Christ intercedes from God's throne forever, the believer may come to God's throne forever.

Peter encouraged the exiles, "Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God," says Paul to the Church of Philippi. “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace,” the author of Hebrews urged his reader, “that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Approaching God's throne is a grand privilege for every believer, and Christ has made it possible.

In John Bunyan's work on Christ’s intercession, He concludes:

Let this doctrine give thee boldness to come to God. Shall Jesus Christ be interceding in heaven? Oh, then, be thou a praying man on earth; yea, take courage to pray. Think thus with thyself — I go to God, to God, before whose throne the Lord Jesus is ready to hand my petitions to him; yea, “he ever lives to make intercession for me.” This is a great encouragement to come to God by prayers and supplications for ourselves, and by intercessions for our families, our neighbours, and enemies. (Christ — A Complete Saviour, 239), (HT: DesiringGod.org)

Are you losing heart? Think of Christ's intercession. Are you struggling in your prayer life? Meditate Christ's intercession. Are you frightened because you have sinned? Dwell on Christ's intercession.

O struggling believer, let us then come boldly before the throne of God, for in His right hand, there is an Almighty Intercessor who is steadfastly praying for us!