by Ester yusufu | 19 July 2024 08:46 pm07
(Romans 8:34, )
If Christ is interceding for us in heaven, what does that mean for us practically—especially when we sin?
Romans 8:34:
“Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”
This verse teaches us that Jesus, having died and risen, now sits in a position of authority and favor—“at the right hand of God”—and acts as our intercessor. The Greek word used here for “interceding” (entygchanō) implies ongoing advocacy on our behalf.
1 John 2:1:
“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.”
The word “advocate” here is from the Greek paraklētos, the same term used for the Holy Spirit (John 14:16), meaning “one called alongside to help.” Jesus is not passively observing—He actively represents us before God the Father.
Jesus often used symbolic or spiritual language that needs proper interpretation. For example:
John 6:53:
“Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.”
Taken literally, this would seem grotesque. But Jesus clarifies during the Last Supper:
Matthew 26:26–28:
“Take and eat; this is my body… This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
Thus, Jesus was speaking symbolically of communion, not cannibalism. Similarly, His intercession must be spiritually discerned—it does not mean He’s constantly reciting prayers in heaven like we do on earth.
Romans 8:26–27:
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans… the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”
This presents a new dimension: the Holy Spirit also intercedes for believers. Now we have two “intercessors”—Jesus and the Spirit.
Yes—but they are not separate agents working independently. Scripture teaches that Jesus and the Spirit are one in divine essence and mission.
2 Corinthians 3:17:
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
This verse affirms the unity of the Son and the Spirit. Jesus intercedes for us through His Spirit, who dwells within believers.
Jesus’ intercession is not Him praying “up there” while we do nothing “down here.” Rather, He prays from within us, through His Spirit.
When we pray, it is actually the Spirit of Christ in us (Galatians 4:6) who helps us pray according to the Father’s will.
Romans 8:9:
“You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.”
This means we must be filled with the Holy Spirit to truly participate in Christ’s intercessory work.
Some teach: “We don’t need to pray because Jesus is praying for us.”
This is false. Jesus’ intercession is not a replacement for our prayer life—it empowers it.
Jude 1:20:
“But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit…”
Ephesians 6:18:
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.”
The Holy Spirit is not our substitute in prayer—He is our helper. Without our willingness to pray, the Spirit has nothing to work with.
Hebrews 7:25:
“Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.”
No saint, no prophet—living or dead—can intercede for you in heaven. Only Jesus, through His Spirit, fulfills this role.
1 Timothy 2:5:
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.”
So prayers to Mary, Elijah, Moses, or any departed saint have no biblical basis. Christ alone is our mediator.
To be part of Christ’s intercessory work, we must:
Be born again (John 3:5)
Be filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38)
Pray in the Spirit continually (Ephesians 6:18)
Jesus Christ intercedes for us not in isolation in heaven, but through His Holy Spirit living in us. As we pray, He prays with us, refining and presenting our petitions to the Father in perfect alignment with God’s will.
So we must never be passive. Our prayer life is vital. Through it, the Spirit of Christ becomes our true voice before God.
Romans 12:12:
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
May the Lord fill you with His Spirit and keep you strong in prayer.
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2024/07/19/how-does-jesus-christ-intercede-for-us-in-heaven/
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