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Chapter 10Jesus ChristResurrection, Ascension, and His Present Work (2) |
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This chapter continues with the theme of Jesus' present work at God's right hand. From that position He exercises all authority both in heaven and on earth. In the previous chapter we began to examine His present work as High Priest, and discussed the truth that He has gone into heaven to prepare a place for us. Now, we continue with His work as High Priest. We will look at His work as our forerunner into heaven, as our advocate, as our intercessor, and as our mediator. His Present Work (cont.)A Forerunner into Heaven for Us — Not only did Jesus go to prepare a place for us, but we are told in the book of Hebrews that He went into heaven as a forerunner for us: |
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A forerunner goes to prepare the way for one who is coming later. John the Baptist was sent as a forerunner of Jesus, the Messiah. Isaiah, in figurative language, explains the job of John the Baptist as a forerunner of Christ.
Isaiah uses the picture of building a king's highway. The valleys were filled with dirt and the mountains were leveled to make a highway that could be traveled more easily. When Jesus went into heaven, He was our forerunner, making a highway into heaven itself for us. Figuratively speaking, every valley has been lifted up, every mountain and hill has been made low, the rough ground has become like a plain and the rugged terrain like a broad valley. We have easy access to the throne of God! In plain language the writer to the Hebrews says, "Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). We can confidently draw near to the throne of grace because Jesus has entered there for us as our forerunner. An Advocate in Heaven for Us — Acting as an advocate with the Father is part of Jesus' high priestly work. An advocate is a person who argues for a cause, that is, a supporter or defender — one who pleads in another's behalf. That is exactly what Jesus Christ does for those who trust in Him for salvation:
We should not sin, but when we do, we should not give up hope. According to 1 John 1:9, we must confess our sins to God and He will forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The Greek word for advocate is "paraclete." The word means one called alongside to help. It is the same word used of the Holy Spirit in John's Gospel where Jesus said He and the Father would send us another Helper. Thus, we are helped here on earth by the Holy Spirit and we are helped in heaven by Jesus Christ. When we sin Jesus acts as a lawyer before the universal court of justice and declares that the penalty for our sin has been paid on the Cross. In human courts, once a case is tried and the penalty is paid it cannot be tried again. It is the same in heaven. God is eternally satisfied with the penalty Jesus paid for us. He does not require a second payment because Jesus points to His own settlement as sufficient and the case cannot be tried again. Because the penalty was paid, we are free from God's judgment and wrath. Interestingly, the Apostle John did not say, "Jesus Christ who is righteous," but "Jesus Christ the righteous" (1John 2:1). Rather than expressing the conduct of Jesus Christ as righteous, it expresses His character as righteous. The very nature of Jesus Christ is righteous. He not only does what is right in His conduct, He Himself is righteous in His nature. We have a righteous advocate with the Father. Praise God for one who is both faithful and righteous representing us before the throne of God. An Intercessor for Us — Intercession in the spiritual
realm is often associated with praying for another. Being an advocate and
being an intercessor are two different but similar functions.
When Jesus sees us in need, in sin, or under the oppression of Satan, He intercedes with the Father on our behalf. He speaks to the Father for us asking that we may come through the situation, whatever it may be, in good spiritual condition. Jesus told Peter that Satan desired to sift him as wheat. "But," He continued, "I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail" (Luke 22:32). Jesus prays for us as an intercessor before the Father. This scriptural truth is recorded in both Romans and in Hebrews:
Yes, it is a great blessing to have Jesus interceding for us. A Mediator for Us — A mediator brings together disputing parties so that the differences can be settled. Paul wrote to Timothy concerning the mediatorship of Jesus Christ:
Jesus is the one who brings God and man together; He is the only mediator between the Father and us. Because of this we can go directly to the throne of God. We need not go through any other person or other created being, living or dead. In fact, the Scripture says there is only "one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." Since Jesus is the only mediator, then the others whom men have set up to be mediators cannot represent them before God. Jesus is God's only recognized mediator. Regardless of how holy others may have been, they cannot mediate between God and man. God Himself welcomes each of us directly to His throne when we pray because of the mediatorship of the Lord Jesus. How Jesus Helps BelieversLet's briefly review the five ways Jesus helps those who believe from His place at God's right hand.
Make It PersonalWe can rejoice greatly in the present ministry of Jesus Christ as our High Priest because it enables us to live a life in constant communion and fellowship with Almighty God. We have a great anchor for our soul in heaven itself. Let us not spoil that from our side by hanging on to sin when God tells us to put it away. Let us put off the old man with his evil deeds and put on the new man who is being renewed in the image of God.
Do you know for sure that you will spend
eternity in Heaven? The Bible speaks clearly about how you can know for
sure if you are Heaven-bound. Return to How Not to Get Burned table of contents. Phone: (813)920-2264 Fax: (813)920-2265 Updated [an error occurred while processing this directive] by BAP |
