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Intercession, Regardless of Distance
Hebrews 7:25
"If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I
would not fear a million enemies. Yet distance makes no difference. He is
praying for me: 'He ever liveth to make intercession'." (Robert Murray
McCheyne)
In the seventh chapter of Hebrews, the author states the difference between
Jesus' priesthood and the Levitical system. He demonstrates that not only are
the two
different, but Jesus' priesthood is superior to the Levitical order. In this
context the statement is made that Jesus "is able to save completely those who
come to
God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for" us. As it appears in
the King James Version: "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost
that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."
Notice:
"He" in this verse is Christ.
In these last days, God speaks to us "by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of
all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of
His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the
word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right
hand of the Majesty on high...," (Heb. 1:2,3).
Christ "is able" to save.
He came to the earth, lived perfectly, died for us and God raised Him from the
dead. Jesus is a Savior who did His work completely. He can set sinners free
from the curse and bondage of sin and restore them to God.
We can "come unto God" by Him.
In fact, we cannot come to God any other way, or through anyone else. He said,
"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except
through Me," (Jno. 14:6). "For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to
the Father," (Eph. 3:18).
He "ever liveth."
The priests who served under the Old Testament Levitical system held a limited
term of office. The Aaronic high priest was overcome by death. Jesus conquered
death, and He is now our priest who lives forever. He is alive and always there
to plead on our behalf.
"He ever liveth to make intercession..."
The Greek term translated "intercession" is a word that pertains to prayer:
ENTUGCHANEIN (See Rom. 8:26,27; 8:34; Rom. 11:2). This word "speaks of the right
approach to God; it speaks of the intimate fellowship which the Christian can
enjoy with God; it means that we do not make our requests to God from a great
distance and across some infinity of space, but that we can talk and converse
with him as a man talks with his friend," (NEW TESTAMENT WORDS, by William
Barclay, p.#85,86). We have the great privilege of entering into the presence of
our Creator, and we can draw near with boldness because Jesus is there, making
intercession for us. We can know He is there; and He is there to bless, protect
and help those who have committed themselves to Him.
"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy
and find grace to help in time of need," (Heb. 4:16).
By Warren E. Berkley
From Expository Files 2.12; December 1995
