We have so far studied the book of Hebrews in lessons which were introductory and gave us an overview of the epistle’s teaching. We now move into a deeper study of Christ’s work as our great High Priest. In this lesson, we focus on the topic of intercession which is an ongoing work of Christ our high priest. His sin offering (to be studied in a coming lesson) is a finished work which never needs repeating. Not all Christ’s work is finished, however, because he now continues to make intercession for us in heaven.

5. Jesus the Intercessor. We are greatly blessed in having a great High Priest, one who ever lives to make intercession for us. He understands our weaknesses without himself being weak. There is no one closer to God than he. Through him we can come to God and find utmost grace.

Heb 4:14-16, Heb 5:1-11, Heb 6:20, Heb 7:1-28, Heb 8:1-6
These are the same portions of Hebrews as for the lesson "Jesus a priest like Melchizedek". In this present lesson, we focus on his work as our intercessor.

Jesus the Intercessor

The key verse for this study is...

What is intercession?
The meaning of intercession is wrapped up in the phrase "draw near to God through him". As a "creature" (Heb 4:13), you cannot come to your Creator unbidden. Furthermore, because the Creator knows his creatures utterly, they are "naked" before him. All their thoughts and deeds are laid open and bare before his eyes. You and I should be ashamed, indeed terrified, to come before God on our own, even if we were bidden. Therefore we need Someone to intercede for us. The Macquarie Dictionary gives this definition: "intercede ...to interpose on behalf of one in difficulty or in trouble, as by pleading or petition..."

Who is able to intercede with God for us?
Jesus Christ is able to be our go-between who can speak to God on our behalf. We can then "draw near to God through him" (Heb 7:25). The prophecy about Christ stated that "He himself bore the sin of many and interceded for the transgressors" (Isa 53:12). It stands to reason that someone who is in much the same position as ourselves, someone who needs an intercessor as much as we do, is not qualified in his own right to intercede for us. There is only one priest among men who can can go to God in his own right and intercede for us, who himself does not need an intercessor. That man is Jesus Christ. That’s one reason why he said, "I am the way, the truth and the life; no one can come to the Father except through me" (Jhn 14:6).

The Intercessor’s Credentials

Let us review some of the main points about Jesus that qualify him uniquely to be our intercessor.

His Ascension

Jesus has "passed through the heavens" (Heb 4:14, 6:20). He sits "at the right hand of the Majesty on High" (Heb 1:3,13). We therefore have, as our intercessor, the very One who is closest to the Majesty on high, who sits at his side.

His Divinity

Jesus is "the Son of God" (Heb 4:14). He is not a creature, but is God like his Father. You will recall that the Father addressed the Son as God: "But of the Son he says, 'Thy throne O God is forever and ever'" (Heb 1:8). Because Jesus is God, he is able, in his own right, to draw near to the Father. There is only one other Person qualified in this way make intercession for us, namely the Holy Spirit. Of course the Spirit does not compete with Christ or ursurp him in this role, but is "another helper" (Jhn 14:16-17). The Spirit is at our side, even within us. He helps us when we pray (Rom 8:26,34), making our prayers acceptable when we draw near to God through Christ who is at the Father’s side. The Spirit is as near to us, and Christ as near to the Father, as can be. Thus God bridges the awful chasm between us and him.

His Humanity

Christ is unique in the Godhead as the one who became flesh (Jhn 1:1,14). In the days of his flesh He went through the same sort of trials and difficulties that all human beings experience. Having lived in this world, he is able to "sympathize with us in our frailties" (Heb 4:15-16). Were our Intercessor a divine being only, we might wonder whether he can understand us, and whether therefore he can properly represent us. That is not a problem, however, because our Intercessor is not a divine person only, but also a human being. He can "interpose on behalf of one in difficulty or in trouble", because he himself experienced similar of difficulty and trouble first hand.

His Perfection

One of the most important credentials for an intercessor is his own reputation and standing. The better his reputation, and the higher his standing, the more respect he gains and the more weight his word carries. The Hebrew writer stresses this qualification in Christ as our Intercessor. "In the days of his flesh... he was heard because of his piety" (Heb 5:7). "He learned obedience from the things which he suffered" and the Hebrew writer calls Christ’s obedience "perfect" that is to say "without sin"(Heb 5:8-9, 4:15). The Hebrew writer describes Christ as "holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners..." (Heb 7:26). It is with this unsurpassed track record that Christ approaches God on our behalf.

His Sacrifice

The Hebrew writer points out that if a high priest wishes to intercede with God on a sinner’s behalf, "it is necessary" that he "have something to offer" (Heb 8:3). Words are not enough. There has to be an acceptable sacrifice. The Hebrew writer is very plain about this when he speaks of Christ. "He did this once and for all when he offered up himself" (Heb 7:27). This perfect sacrifice is the topic of a coming lesson.

His Everlasting Life

When we try to contact the one who is supposed to intercede for us, we don't want to be told, "Oh I'm sorry but he died yesterday". Christ died when he offered himself as the sacrifice for sinners. However he rose again and now "he always lives to make intercession for them" (Heb 7:25). This assures us that when we stand before God to be judged, however far into the future that day may be, our intercessor will still be alive because he lives forever.

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