08/06/2021
If we were asked who the greatest intercessor was in our lives, what name would we answer with? Perhaps we would give that title to our mother or father, our pastor, or a Saint we know who has a powerful way of communicating with God in prayer, but although these would be good answers they would fall short of one man; a man who had spent his life interceding for us… Jesus Christ. He was born to intercede, and He continues on in that role through eternity.
“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 7:25 ESV
When I was a young fellow I was on my parent’s driveway working on my car when my younger brother walked up and stood there quietly watching me. After a few minutes I asked him what was wrong because I could see that he was feeling down. With that he opened up and told me how the older boy who lived next door was harassing him, and had threatened him. So I told my brother not to worry that I would take care of it. Well it wasn’t long before this fellow came out of his house and was preparing to go somewhere in his car. I looked at my brother and said “Come with me.”
I had a very stern talk with this guy, and made it unmistakably clear to him what would happen if I ever had to have this conversation with him again… fortunately, it was never necessary to have that follow-up conversation, and my brother’s life returned to normal. This is a very crude, and earthly, example of what Jesus does for us spiritually every day. He stands up for us when we are frightened by evil, tempted by Satan, and defends us against all adversaries. He represents us before God by asking Him to forgive us, and makes the case for us when we need God’s help in some way. He is our greatest intercessor, and everything that He does for us is done out of unflinching, and undying love… even to the point of standing in our stead as we are judged before the throne. He is the greatest of all intercessors, and the big brother every child wishes for… our intercessor for all time, Jesus!
“Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. The Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him. “And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,” declares the Lord.”
Isaiah 59:15-16, 20 ESV
Even for those of us who were unable to name an intercessor when they first read the question I asked; those whose parents, and all those surrounding them do not know God or the name Jesus. But take heart, because God has provided Jesus as your great intercessor, and He is interceding for you at this very moment. Accept Him, and lean on the Holy Spirit which will give voice to the prayers you have had no words for. Be confident in the forgiveness of your sins because your tears will be dried by the merciful hand of God Himself, and your sins washed away by the blood of Jesus as He prays fervently for you. In so doing His sweat will fall like drops of blood before the mercy seat of God… even for you who feel unworthy.
“And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.””
Luke 22:44-46 ESV
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.””
Revelation 21:3-4 ESV
So let’s ask ourselves again… “Who is the greatest intercessor in our lives?” Can we answer this question now, even those of us who could not identify one previously?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for loving us, even when we were wandering lost. Thank you Lord for sending your Son Jesus to be our greatest and most powerful intercessor. Thank you for his love, and willingness to offer up His life for us. Thank you for giving Him strength as he sweated blood in His prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane, and for giving those prayers wings as you lifted Him to be at your right hand. Thank you now for His selfsame blood that falls in tears of prayerful intercession as He prays fervently in eternity for us. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who looks for an intercessor among us, and who has sent you own Son to lead us in understanding the importance in this effort. Praised be your name for every prayer Jesus has prayed on our behalf, and for all those that have been prayed by earthly intercessors as they lift us up from the mountains and valleys… even the depths of the oceans. Help us merciful God to make intercession for those around us, and to pray in Christlike fashion as we seek your will for them as we do. Hear us as we ask for their forgiveness, healing, protection, provision, but most of all their salvation and eternal souls. Let out tears of fervent prayer wash their feet, even as the blood of your Son Jesus falls upon them, cleanses them, and transforms them into righteous souls. Lift us up from our knees Father, and dry our tears with your hand. Give us joy everlasting where once only tears of contrition had etched their mark. Seat us forevermore in your presence and let all our prayers be of thanksgiving and joyful celebration in your glory.
Rich Forbes