The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ, after dying for our sins and rising from the dead, ascended to heaven and now serves as our advocate and intercessor before God the Father. This ministry of intercession is a central aspect of Christ’s ongoing work for believers. Here is an overview of 9 key purposes behind Jesus interceding for us in heaven.
1. Jesus intercedes to present our prayers to the Father
The Bible indicates that as our great High Priest, Jesus takes our prayers and brings them before God the Father. Hebrews 4:14-16 tells us, “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
As believers, we do not pray to Jesus directly, but we pray to the Father in Jesus’ name. Jesus takes those prayers, purifies them, and presents them to the Father on our behalf. What an amazing truth that Christ Himself brings our petitions directly into God’s throne room!
2. Jesus intercedes by offering His righteousness on our behalf
On our own, we are sinful and unrighteous before a holy God. But by faith, Christ’s perfect righteousness is credited to us (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus also serves as our Advocate before the Father. 1 John 2:1-2 says, “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”
As our Advocate, Jesus stands before the Father and intercedes by presenting His own righteousness on our behalf, reminding the Father that His perfection now covers us. What comfort it is to know God sees us through the righteousness of Christ!
3. Jesus intercedes by showing the Father His wounds on our behalf
Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is the basis on which He intercedes for believers. Hebrews 9:24 says that “Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.”
Part of Christ’s ministry before the Father involves showing the wounds in His hands, feet, and side – evidence of the high price He paid to redeem us. It is as if Jesus constantly says to the Father, “See what I have suffered for this beloved saint. Receive him because of what I endured on his behalf.” What an amazing picture of grace!
4. Jesus intercedes by securing our access to the Father
Sin separates us from a holy God, but Jesus’ sacrificial death has reconciled us and secured our access to the Father. Hebrews 10:19-22 explains, “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.”
Only through the merits of Christ can we approach God’s throne with confidence. Jesus lives to intercede for us by reminding the Father that His blood has purchased our permanent access to Him. What hope this gives the believer!
5. Jesus intercedes by obtaining mercy and grace for us
Christ’s intercession is the means by which we find mercy and grace from God. Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
We need God’s mercy and grace every day for the forgiveness of our sins and strength to live the Christian life. 1 John 1:9 assures us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Jesus secures this continual dispensation of mercy and grace as He stands before the Father on our behalf.
6. Jesus intercedes by sending the Holy Spirit to us
Christ’s intercession is also connected to the sending of the Holy Spirit to indwell believers. John 14:16-17 records Jesus promising, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth.” Only Jesus could send the Spirit, who applies Christ’s redemptive work to our hearts.
In this role, Jesus intercedes by asking the Father to send the Spirit to seal, sanctify, counsel, and empower believers. What blessing we derive from the Spirit because of Jesus’ intercession!
7. Jesus intercedes by preparing a place for us
Christ’s intercession involves preparing for believers’ eternal dwelling place with Him in heaven. John 14:2-3 says, “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”
As Jesus intercedes before the Father, He is preparing for our coming glory, petitioning to receive His bride into the dwelling place He has made for her. What joy to know Jesus is making all things ready for us!
8. Jesus intercedes by securing rewards for us
At the judgment seat of Christ, believers will be rewarded for their faithfulness in serving Christ on earth. These eternal rewards will bring God glory and allow us to worship Him more fully. Jesus intercedes for us by asking the Father to grant us these rewards.
2 Timothy 4:8 says, “Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” These rewards are secured by Christ’s intercession.
9. Jesus intercedes by making us victorious
Jesus’ intercession enables believers to conquer every enemy – sin, death, and Satan. Romans 8:34-37 declares, “Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? […] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
Because Jesus intercedes for us, no adversary can successfully stand against us. His intercession leads to total victory, now and forevermore. What triumph we have in Christ!
The intercession of Jesus Christ covers every aspect of the believer’s salvation – from the sending of the Spirit at conversion to the preparation of eternal rewards. Christ lives to make intercession so that we can draw near with confident faith, receive mercy and grace, walk in victory, and inherit eternal life. Through Jesus’ intercession, God powerfully demonstrates His love and keeps His children securely in His grace.
