Intercession of Christ

Easton, 1897

Christ's priestly office consists of these two parts, (1) the offering up of himself as a sacrifice, and (2) making continual intercession for us.

When on earth he made intercession for his people (Luke 23:34; John 17:20; Hebrews 5:7); but now he exercises this function of his priesthood in heaven, where he is said to appear in the presence of God for us (Hebrews 9:12, Hebrews 9:24).

His advocacy with the Father for his people rests on the basis of his own all-perfect sacrifice. Thus he pleads for and obtains the fulfilment of all the promises of the everlasting covenant (1 John 2:1; John 17:24; Hebrews 7:25). He can be "touched with the feeling of our infirmities," and is both a merciful and a faithful high priest (Hebrews 2:17, Hebrews 2:18; Hebrews 4:15, Hebrews 4:16). This intercession is an essential part of his mediatorial work. Through him we have "access" to the Father (John 14:6; Ephesians 2:18; Ephesians 3:12). "The communion of his people with the Father will ever be sustained through him as mediatorial Priest" (Psalms 110:4; Revelation 7:17).