Mediator, Intercessor

Scripture Reading — Romans 8:31-39; Hebrews 8:6-9:15

Christ Jesus . . . is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
— Romans 8:34

What is Jesus doing now, since he has ascended to heaven? Hebrews 7:25 (like Romans 8:34) says that he is always interceding for us. Jesus prays for us constantly!

What a gift this is. We cannot enter God’s presence on the basis of our own goodness. We need the one, perfect Mediator/ High Priest to speak for us. As an old hymn puts it:

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea,
a great High Priest whose name is Love,
who ever lives and pleads for me.

Jesus’ intercession is spoken and visible. Jesus speaks to the Father on our behalf, and his scars bear the testimony of his sacrifice for us. As the prophet Isaiah said, “By his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

So, through Jesus’ work for us, we are reconciled with God. And he mediates a new covenant for us with God so that God’s law is in our minds and in our hearts always. By living within us through his Spirit, Jesus impresses on our minds and hearts how to live for God each day. This is the new life Jesus makes possible for us, guiding us, through his Spirit, to live faithfully, as he did. And because of Jesus, we can have the confidence to draw near to God our Father always, anytime (Hebrews 10:19-23).

Without Jesus, God would be a distant power. In Jesus, we have a Father. And nothing can separate us from his love!

Thank you, Lord Jesus, our faithful mediator and intercessor, for giving us new life in the Father’s love forever. Amen.

Written by: Lora Copley