Why We Need an Intercessor

The Bible tells us that Jesus makes intercession for us: “Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25, NKJV). What do the scriptures mean by this?

I believe this subject is so deep, majestic and beyond human understanding that I tremble even to address it. Through prayer and trust in the Holy Spirit’s guidance, I’m beginning to grasp just a little of this incredible subject. Recently, I’ve prayed very simply, “Lord, how does your intercession in heaven affect my life? Your Word says you appear before the Father on my behalf. What does this mean in my daily walk with you?”

The English word ‘intercession’ means “to plead on another’s behalf.” This speaks of a figure who takes your place before others to plead your cause. When you hear such a definition, do you picture Christ continually pleading to God for you, asking for mercy, forgiveness, grace and blessings? In my opinion, this image makes our heavenly Father appear tight-fisted. I simply refuse to believe that grace has to be pried out of our loving God. If we limit ourselves to such a narrow definition of intercession, we’ll never understand the deeper spiritual meaning of what Christ does for us.

The Bible declares that my heavenly Father knows my needs before I can ask him, and he often supplies those needs even before I pray. Therefore, I find it difficult to accept that God’s own Son has to plead with him for anything. Besides, the Bible says the Father has already entrusted his Son with all things: “For in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in him, who is the head of all principality and power” (Colossians 2:9-10).

I don’t claim to know everything about Christ’s intercession for us, but I do believe that whatever our high priest is doing in his intercession for us, it is a very simple matter. I believe that intercession has to do directly with the growth of his body here on earth. He is at work supplying every joint and part with might and strength so that we may be complete in him.