58. Christ makes Intercession
Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Jesus Christ makes intercession for us. In the first place, this phrase means that Jesus successfully intermediated between God and us; He brought us together. Intercede = come between. Jesus made peace between two warring parties. We don’t like to think of ourselves as being at war with God, but we are truly enemies, separated by sin. But now we have access; we are at peace; we are united. Jesus Christ did this by dying, rising again and sitting at God’s right hand.
The present tense of the verb “make” means that the action of interceding is continuous and it goes on every day. Christ interceded once for all, but the action and its effects continue daily; we need daily intercession because we sin daily. Jesus is constantly keeping us in touch with a Holy and Almighty God. Even though every sin separates me from God Jesus is continually pleading His blood before the Father on my behalf; therefore, I am constantly connected to God; He is always accepting, loving and forgiving me; constant comfort is the promise. I can see Jesus sitting at the right hand of God reminding the Almighty that He has earned grace and forgiveness for me. Every time I sin Jesus is there with God, turning away the justified wrath and clearing the way for justifying mercy.
Prayer is another aspect of this promise. Not only can I and may I pray to the Father in Jesus’ name any time and all the time, but, even more, Jesus Himself is praying for me and interceding with my prayers and needs on my behalf before God. Just a few verses earlier we read the promise that the Holy Spirit is making intercession for us even through our groans and sighs. Whether it is the Son or the Spirit who is praying for us matters not, it is God Himself who prays, intercedes and cares for us. Jesus turns our prayers, wishes, needs, hopes and dreams into concrete intercessions before the Lord. The Lord God returns forgiveness to us every day. And He promises to pray without ceasing when we fail.