Daily Grace Devotional August 17, 2024 By Evang. Ubong Ifiok
Title: The Intercessory Role of Jesus
Scripture:
“Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” – Hebrews 7:25 (NKJV)
Message:
One of the most profound truths of the Christian faith is the intercessory role of Jesus Christ. After His resurrection and ascension, Jesus took His place at the right hand of the Father, where He continually intercedes for us. This means that Jesus is not only our Savior but also our Advocate, constantly praying on our behalf before the Father.
Understanding the intercessory role of Jesus brings immense comfort and assurance to believers. It reassures us that we are never alone in our struggles, temptations, or weaknesses. Jesus, who understands our human experience intimately, is actively involved in our spiritual journey, lifting us up in prayer to the Father.
The Bible provides several examples of Jesus’ intercession. In John 17, often referred to as the High Priestly Prayer, Jesus prays for His disciples and all future believers, asking the Father to protect them, sanctify them, and unite them. This prayer reveals Jesus’ deep love and concern for His followers, a love that continues as He intercedes for us in heaven.
But what exactly does Jesus’ intercession involve? First, it means that Jesus is pleading our case before the Father. When we fall short, Jesus intercedes on our behalf, reminding the Father of His sacrifice on the cross. Because of Jesus’ intercession, we are continually cleansed by His blood, and our sins are forgiven.
Second, Jesus’ intercession means that He is praying for our strength and perseverance. In Luke 22:31-32, Jesus tells Peter that He has prayed for him so that his faith would not fail. Jesus is aware of the challenges we face and prays that we would have the strength to overcome them and remain faithful to the end.
Lastly, Jesus’ intercession ensures that we receive the grace and mercy we need in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16 invites us to come boldly to the throne of grace, where we can obtain mercy and find grace to help in times of need. Jesus’ intercession makes this possible; He has paved the way for us to approach God with confidence, knowing that our prayers are heard and answered.
The knowledge that Jesus is interceding for us should inspire confidence and peace in our hearts. No matter what we are facing, we can be assured that Jesus is actively working on our behalf. His prayers are powerful and effective, and they ensure that we have everything we need to live a victorious Christian life.
When we feel weak or inadequate, we can take comfort in knowing that Jesus is praying for us. His intercession is perfect, complete, and constant. He never stops praying for His people, and because of this, we can face every situation with the assurance that we are being upheld by the Son of God.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your constant intercession on my behalf. I am grateful that You are always praying for me, lifting me up before the Father. Help me to live in the confidence of Your prayers and to trust that, because of Your intercession, I have everything I need to overcome life’s challenges. Strengthen my faith and draw me closer to You each day. In Your name, I pray, Amen.
Further Reading:
- Romans 8:34
- 1 John 2:1-2
- Isaiah 53:12
- John 17:9-26
- 1 Timothy 2:5
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