It's a stupendous truth that most of the world still knows almost nothing about. It concerns what Jesus Christ is doing today. Most people have a vague idea that He is doing nothing--He finished His job here 2000 years ago and now He is resting up. But the Bible pictures Him as working intensely in His job as "great High Priest" who "ever lives to make intercession" for every person who believes in Him (Heb. 7:25).
"Intercession" is hard work, not to convince an unwilling Father to be nice to us (that's totally unnecessary, He already is nice to us), and not to convince the devil to back off (he can't be convinced)--but to convince us of His love and faithfulness. You say, "I'm already convinced! I don't need such 'intercession!'" Well, are you sure? Do you know your own heart? Suppose the Book of Job becomes re-written in your life's experience: you suffer a series of misfortunes that are inexplicable (in more people's lives than you think this is happening!). Suppose disaster after disaster befalls you--are you sure you won't need some "intercession" to convince you of God's love and faithfulness?
Suppose the dear Holy Spirit convinces you of a deeper layer of sin and selfishness than you had thought was there in your heart, the sense of guilt gets deeper, are you sure that your confidence in God's love and faithfulness will not need some of that "intercession"? Peter was so sure of himself, so sure he didn't need any "intercession" from Jesus; he would NEVER deny his Lord.
The idea that Christ must plead with the Father to be nice to us is in reality of pagan origin. No people in all past history will need that faithful "intercession" so much as will those who will live through the final scenes of trouble that are coming on the world just prior to Christ's return. This calls for a clearer understanding of the gospel as Good News than has been appreciated by a body of believers in past history. This will be a final experience of reconciliation with God that Paul speaks of as "the atonement" (Rom. 5:11, KJV). This is the special work Christ is doing today as our great High Priest--in human hearts all around the world who are watching and listening and seeking. It is a term synonymous with the "latter rain" outpouring of the Holy Spirit, an enriching and maturing experience.
It's Good News that the High Priest (Jesus) does this work; we let Him do it. We stop "resisting Him in His office work." But there's also a solemn downside in the news: this blessing may be received by hearts all around us and we remain ignorant of what is going on.
From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: March 16, 2000.Copyright © 2011 by Robert J. Wieland.
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