08/29/2021
We have talked a great deal this month about intercession, and we have read scripture that states that Jesus makes intercession for us before God, but we haven’t really considered the fact that Jesus lives forever, and that because of this, His intercession is without end. We, on the other hand, intercede for others during our lifetimes, so today, let’s look at what scripture says about the role He plays as our High Priest, not just during our lives on earth, but for all eternity.
“but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”
Hebrews 7:24-25 ESV
My family lives in Virginia, and I in Tennessee, and by virtue of this I am not able to see them very often. Yet, whenever I go home to be with them my aging mother meets me at the door, embraces me in a long hug, and begins to recount the day I was born, and many of the things I had done during my childhood, and life beyond. It doesn’t matter who is there because she is going to tell anyone who will listen about my life, and her love for me. Then we go inside her home and she shares with me all of the things she worries about when she thinks of me in my absence. By recalling the lives of her children she is showing us how much she loves each of us, and we know that all of her worries are not only shared with us, but with the Lord. Mothers intercede for their children physically, and spiritually, for the duration of their lives, and I am confident that when my mother draws her final breath she will be telling Jesus about us, and her worries regarding each of us. Then, Jesus will tell her that we are in His hands, and not to worry… because we are His. In this way we yield our intercession to Jesus where it continues on forever, and our full attention is directed towards God alone. On that day it will be similar to my trips home to Virginia… we will hear Jesus telling God, and all the heavenly host in attendance, about our lives, but the worries will be gone; washed away by His blood, and the grace of God. On the day of our homecoming we will only be remembered for the good because in Christ we have been forgiven and our righteousness is all that remains.
“So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”
2 Corinthians 5:9-10 ESV
Men are made priests, and high priests under the law, and as they die they are replaced by others, but Jesus is the recipient of an oath that comes after the law, and continues on forever. He will recount our lives into eternity as His intercession goes on without ceasing. In this life we hear the love in our mother’s voice, and feel the warmth of her hugs, but I can’t wait to feel the embrace of Jesus, and hear the boundless love in His voice as He tells of my life, and intercedes for me before God. I can’t wait to yield the stories I tell of my own children to Him, along with the worries I now have.
“For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.”
Hebrews 7:28 ESV
So, the love, and intercession of Jesus will go on throughout eternity, and our tears will all be dried forever. We will know only the joy, and the peace of God, as we are held in His arms, and the story of how our sins were forgiven, and the details of our lives are recalled… what will Jesus say about us? Will he tell how we fed the hungry, visited them as prisoners, delivered the gospel, and so many other things, or will He simply say, “he (or she) believed”? How are we adding to our story each day?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus in whom we believe, and whose blood washes away all but the good accounts from the stories of our lives, and who continues to intercede for us before you, even into eternity. Father, hear the prayers of the mothers who pray for their children, and worry over them in tears and constant intercession. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who by your grace has made provision for us to have a high priest who lives forever, and thus an eternal intercessor who will always be standing before your throne for us. Praised be your name for every sin forgiven, and each good work you have asked us to perform… and that we have been obedient in. Wash us clean in the blood of Jesus, and see only his righteousness in us. Whether we come to believe in Jesus as children, or in our final moments while hanging on our cross beside Him, as a repentant thief, Father hear His prayers. Hear Him praying for our forgiveness, and redemption, then lift us up to join you in your kingdom forever and ever without end.
“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. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:33-39 ESV
Rich Forbes