“For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.” - Hebrews 9:24
We spend a great deal of time studying about what Jesus did during His earthly ministry two thousand years ago. We are correct in doing this. Four books of the New Testament give us insight into some of the things He did during His brief stay on earth. As Christians, we should learn from His teachings and seek to emulate His actions.
But what is Jesus doing now? According to the Scriptures, He ascended back to His Father and is sitting next to His Father. Our text says that He has entered, “...into heaven itself.”
Furthermore, He appears “... in the presence of God for us.” He is busy, even now.
Hebrews 7:25 says, “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 two things that Jesus is doing: He is saving and He is interceding. This verses teaches us that He is making intercession for us. In a sense, He is praying for us. Let's focus on this more closely.
Our text explains it this way: “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.”
The writer of the book of Hebrews tells us that Jesus Christ is a high priest, yet not a priest after the order of Levi. Instead, Jesus is a priest after the manner of Melchizedek. You see, the priesthood of Levi had a beginning and an end. The priesthood of Jesus is eternal.
As a high priest, He makes intercession for His people. If we define prayer as talking with our heavenly Father, then we must say that Jesus is still praying today.
Moses was instructed to build a sanctuary based on a model that God showed him. The priests would enter this tabernacle as part of their ministry. Old Testament worship was centered around this tabernacle. Unlike the priests of the Old Testament, Jesus has not entered into a man-made tabernacle. Instead, He has entered into heaven itself. There, in the most holy place, Jesus serves as a priest, interceding on behalf of us.
The Bible says that Jesus is our advocate. Like an attorney defending his client, Jesus speaks on our behalf. The devil is the accuser of the brethren. He accuses us of many things. Yet we have an advocate who defends us. Jesus Christ is a better advocate than Perry Mason or Ben Matlock.
When we fail, the Lord is there to defend us. When we need help, He speaks on our behalf. In spite of the devil's accusations against us, our Lord defends us. Who could ask for better representation?
Our Lord has never lost an argument and He has never lost a case. Furthermore, His services come at no charge to us. How great it is to have Him speaking on our behalf!
When the disciples were with Jesus in the upper room, our Lord said, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” (Luke 22:31-32). The Lord specifically prayed for Simon as he faced the challenges that were to come.
Robert Murray M'Cheyne once said, “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.”
How do you feel when you learn that someone is praying for you? What if you could hear them praying … and actually hear them mention your name? It is a blessing to have others pray for you. How much greater it is to know that Jesus Himself is interceding on your behalf!
Let me be rather honest. I need His intercession! What about you?
I'm glad Jesus is interceding for me. This also inspires me to pray for others. If we seek to be like our Lord, let us intercede for others when we pray.
When things go wrong, loneliness besets you, fear sets in, or grief overwhelms you, just remember that Jesus is interceding for you.
That's what Jesus is doing right now.
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