August 1st, 2022
Written by Alex Fortson
“He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). In my current read, Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund, it discusses a topic that I personally was encouraged by and would like to share with you today.
We know that Jesus came down from heaven through a virgin birth, lived a sinless life, died a dreadful death on a cross for you and for me, rose three days later, and then ascended into heaven. We understand this as being for the justification for our sins found in Romans 5:1. But what is he doing now? The Bible speaks clearly to this. He is interceding for us. The son of man, after going through all that he was put through by us, is now interceding on our behalf.
What is intercession? Dane Ortlund defines intercession in his book, Gentle and Lowly, “In general terms this means that a third party comes between two others and makes a case to one on behalf of the other.” For example this would be as if a parent is interceding on behalf of their child that may be in trouble or a lawyer interceding on behalf of their client in court. Romans 8:33-34 states, “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? 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.” Intercession is the constant hitting “refresh” of our justification in the court of heaven. This only continues to bring to light the heart of Jesus. Revealing his genuine love for us. Connecting our hearts to the Father’s heart through the intercession of Christ.
Why do we need the intercession of Christ? Well, because we are what you would call to-the-uttermost sinners, needing a to-the-uttermost Savior. It is not that Christ just helps us out when we are in need, but he indeed completely saves us. Now that is something to celebrate and rejoice about. You see, Jesus is drawn to the sinner. His heart's desire is to touch the deepest parts of our brokenness and weakness and this is where we find the love of Christ most. Because he loves to-the-uttermost. Calvin wrote, “Christ turns the Father’s eyes to his own righteousness to avert his gaze from our sins, He so reconciles the Father’s heart to us that by his intercession he prepares a way and access for us to the Father’s throne.” It is certainly not by our own strength that we make it to the throne of God, but simply by Jesus carrying us every step of the way. I love what theologian Louis Berkhof said, “Christ is praying for us, even when we are negligent in our prayer life.” Even when we fall short in our relationship with Jesus He never lacks. He always comes through and is consistent even when we are not.
Some days are better than others. We have good moments and we have bad moments in life. Some that we wish we could take back and completely delete from the reel of life. Even through all of that we have a consistent, never wavering, devoted, loving, God who is interceding for us in the throne room of God. This is our only hope. You have hope today. And through Jesus Christ you now have access to the Father. We are to-the-uttermost sinners, but we have a to-the-uttermost Savior.
“He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). In my current read, Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund, it discusses a topic that I personally was encouraged by and would like to share with you today.
We know that Jesus came down from heaven through a virgin birth, lived a sinless life, died a dreadful death on a cross for you and for me, rose three days later, and then ascended into heaven. We understand this as being for the justification for our sins found in Romans 5:1. But what is he doing now? The Bible speaks clearly to this. He is interceding for us. The son of man, after going through all that he was put through by us, is now interceding on our behalf.
What is intercession? Dane Ortlund defines intercession in his book, Gentle and Lowly, “In general terms this means that a third party comes between two others and makes a case to one on behalf of the other.” For example this would be as if a parent is interceding on behalf of their child that may be in trouble or a lawyer interceding on behalf of their client in court. Romans 8:33-34 states, “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? 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.” Intercession is the constant hitting “refresh” of our justification in the court of heaven. This only continues to bring to light the heart of Jesus. Revealing his genuine love for us. Connecting our hearts to the Father’s heart through the intercession of Christ.
Why do we need the intercession of Christ? Well, because we are what you would call to-the-uttermost sinners, needing a to-the-uttermost Savior. It is not that Christ just helps us out when we are in need, but he indeed completely saves us. Now that is something to celebrate and rejoice about. You see, Jesus is drawn to the sinner. His heart's desire is to touch the deepest parts of our brokenness and weakness and this is where we find the love of Christ most. Because he loves to-the-uttermost. Calvin wrote, “Christ turns the Father’s eyes to his own righteousness to avert his gaze from our sins, He so reconciles the Father’s heart to us that by his intercession he prepares a way and access for us to the Father’s throne.” It is certainly not by our own strength that we make it to the throne of God, but simply by Jesus carrying us every step of the way. I love what theologian Louis Berkhof said, “Christ is praying for us, even when we are negligent in our prayer life.” Even when we fall short in our relationship with Jesus He never lacks. He always comes through and is consistent even when we are not.
Some days are better than others. We have good moments and we have bad moments in life. Some that we wish we could take back and completely delete from the reel of life. Even through all of that we have a consistent, never wavering, devoted, loving, God who is interceding for us in the throne room of God. This is our only hope. You have hope today. And through Jesus Christ you now have access to the Father. We are to-the-uttermost sinners, but we have a to-the-uttermost Savior.
1 Comment
Thank you for this very powerful message