Christ Intercedes for Us
Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.
Romans 8:34
Christ knows our struggles in life and he knows our hearts when we seek forgiveness. We fight sin but we can never be perfect, and the Lord forgives us and gives us the power to overcome. With forgiveness from Christ the Lord presents us perfect to the Father. This is an amazing blessing, that the Lord knows us and intercedes for us to the Father.
Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. (John 17:7-8) This is part of the prayer Jesus prayed to the Father about his disciple, and we can see he presents them perfectly to the Father. But were they perfect as they walked with Jesus?
But they did not receive Him, because He was traveling toward Jerusalem. When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them? (Luke 9:53-54) When they didn’t receive Jesus in Samaria, we read about the attitude of James and John. When we minister to someone and they don’t want to hear the message, do we get angry and call fire down on them? No, our love is unconditional which means we love everyone, and we hate the lies Satan has used to deceive them. James and John didn’t have unconditional love in their hearts at that time, and Jesus rebuked them.
“You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” (Matthew 17:17) This is Jesus’ response when the apostle said they could not cast an evil Spirit out of a young boy. Jesus expected the apostle to cast out demons, but they had unbelieving faith. Is our faith pleasing to God?
And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” They said to Him, “Grant that we may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left, in Your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. (Mark 10:36-37) This showed the prideful heart of two of the apostles, and Jesus gives an example of being humble. Jesus had a lot of teaching, and leading by example to the apostles.
An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. (Luke 9:64) This is another example of the pride the apostles had, that pride came from the fact that were chosen by Christ to be his twelve apostles. We are also chosen by Christ to serve him just like the apostles did, but we have a humble thankful heart that we can serve the Lord.
Jesus intercedes for the apostles to the Father and presents them as perfect, yet they were far from perfect. But Jesus taught them and he led by example, and he knew when they received the Holy Spirit after Jesus ascension into Heaven, they would serve the Lord and they never deny Christ, but chose to die as a martyr instead. This was the faith of the apostle, they considered it a privilege to suffer for Christ. The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus. (Acts 5:41)
Today know that the Lord offers forgiveness and intercedes for us to the Father. We are not perfect but Christ presents as perfect to his Father.
Prayer: Thank you Lord for interceding for me to the Father, even though I struggle fighting sin and will never be perfect. In Jesus name, Amen