Christ Our Intercessor
“Who is he that condemns? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.” (Romans 8:34)
One of the most glorious truths of the Christian faith is that the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose for our justification, now lives to intercede for us before God.
The greatest example of intercessory prayer in the Bible is found in John 17, where the Lord expressed His heartfelt prayer for His disciples. He said, “I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours” (John 17:9).
But that wasn’t all! He continued, “Neither do I pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word” (John 17:20). That includes us!
What does He pray for us? First and foremost, He prays for our security. He says, “Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one, as We are” (John 17:11).
Next, He prays that we may achieve true victory over sin and the devil. He states, “I pray not that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one” (John 17:15).
His next request is: “Sanctify them through Your truth: Your word is truth” (John 17:17). Our sanctification, therefore, will come through the infilling of the Holy Spirit and through obeying God’s Word.
He also prays for true unity among His genuine disciples: “That they all may be one; as You, Father, are in me, and I in You, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that You have sent me” (John 17:21).
Finally, He prays for our ultimate glorification.
“Father, I will that they also, whom You have given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which You have given me” (John 17:24).
We can have unwavering confidence that the Father will honor these requests made by His beloved Son.
The Best Is Yet to Be!
Dr Robert Bryant