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Jesus: Intercessor

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For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,
and he will guide them to springs of living water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
(Revelation 7:17)

Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me;
fight against those who fight against me!
(Psalm 35:1)

“I ought to study Christ as a living Saviour more,—as a Shepherd, carrying the sheep He finds,—as a King, reigning in and over the souls He has redeemed,—as a Captain, fighting with those who fight with me (Psalm 35), as One who has engaged to bring me through all temptations and trials, however impossible to flesh and blood.

I am often tempted to say, ‘How can this Man save us? How can Christ in heaven deliver me from lusts which I feel raging in me, and nets I feel enclosing me?’ This is the father of lies again! ‘He is able to save unto the uttermost.’

I ought to study Christ as an Intercessor. He prayed most for Peter, who was to be most tempted. I am on His breastplate.

If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million of enemies. Yet the distance makes no difference; He is praying for me.”

–Robert Murray McCheyne, Memoir and Remains of the Rev. Robert Murray McCheyne (Edinburgh; London: Oliphant Anderson & Ferrier, 1894).

Comments

  1. WOW! How awesome it is to be reminded that our Lord and Saviour is always praying for us. Thank you FATHER!

  3. This is an awesome reminder. Reminds me that Jesus is ALIVE and doing in heaven what he did on earth. Awesome and humbling. I do not deserve such love, thank You Father in Heaven for Your Grace. Amen

    • rennetta,Jesus is alive and doing in us what He did when He walked this earth for us.we are the body of Christ and we are filled with the very same Spirit that He was filled with.we are doing the same thing He did.preaching the gospel,healing people,driving out demons.He hasnt stopped doing what He was doing when He had His own human flesh to walk in.the only difference is His body now has a whole lot more hands and mouths and feet to minister to the broken with!!!!

  4. This morning has been a hard one for me. I have been tempted to give in to dispair. I read your blog and remembered His great love for me. Thank you.

    • I feel the same way. First thing this morning, I hurt someone’s feelings and was thinking, “I am beyond help! When will I ever learn! How can I ever be restored!?” and then I read this blog. Truly, what a friend we have in Jesus. More than a friend, my Redeemer!

    • That’s a good question. I recall that when Jesus was on the cross, he said to the thief dying next to him, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” I think, also, Paul talked about his dilemma of wanting to stay with the saints on earth to continue teaching them, yet he also wanted to die to be with the Lord. For me, that’s how I resolved the problem when I have thought about it.

    • I think 2 Corinthians 5, especially verse 8 addresses this: to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. I recommend reading through some of the BLB commentaries on that passage, Tana! God bless!

    • THE MINUTE WE DIE WE ENTER PARADISE AS ACCORDING TO 1 THESSALONIANS 4:14, ( FOR IF WE BELIEVE THAT JESUS DIED AND ROSE AGAIN, EVEN THEM ALSO WHICH SLEEP IN JESUS WILL GOD BRING WITH HIM.) PARADISE IS THE RESTING PLACE FOR THOSE WHO DIED IN JESUS UNTIL GOD COMPLETE HIS WORK ON EARTH. THEN THOSE WHO ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN WILL BE CAUGHT UP WITH THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY DIED AND WE WILL ALL GO BEFORE THE GATES OF HEAVEN TO ENTER THERIN TOGETHER. 1THESSALONIANS 4:15-17 PARAPHRASED.)

    • I believe the 2 CLEAREST records of what happens when believers die are in 1 Corinthians 15:51 – 58; and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. God calls it “those who sleep in Jesus.” Just as physical sleep, our next thought will be with our Heavenly Father,our Brother Jesus Christ, and our Spiritual Family! No matter how much time has passed, because there is no conscousness in death(psalm 6:5). 1 Thessalonians 2:19, 11 Thessalonians 2:21, and Ephesians 1:10 also talk about the Gathering together, our hope!

  6. Forgot to say that I would like you to respond to my email if you do not wish to post my query. Thanks so much and have a Blessed day!

  7. So sorry to not have read the blog first. My goodness. “If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room….” How stunning to think that…He IS just in the next room praying for me…AND just beside me. “The Presence” as He was referred to in a novel from the early 1900’s that I just finished by a favorite author. Thank you so much for this blog. I will pass on the “next room” thing today.

    • He is not just in another room next to me,but in me,praying through the Holy Ghost to bring the will of God full circle in my life.oh what a mighty God we serve!!

  8. THank you soooooo much Father, for this very encouraging and timely word! It is a MUCH NEEDED reminder! I will INDEED do this as a personal study, as well. Jesus, my Warrior, Savior King, and Intercessor…..I ADORE YOU! This is gonna be good!

  9. As I read this I thought this is really nice….then I read the line “If I could hear Christ praying in the room right next to me….” I thought to myself wow wouldn’t that be phenomenal to hear Christ personally praying for me and then you smacked me between the eyes….Christ is praying for me and there is no distance between us. If He is for me then who can be against me. Thank you for this reminder to a young pastor. If no one else if praying for me He is. Thank you Lord Jesus!

  10. I was really touched by the statement that we ought to study Jesus more. As a minister, I am always looking for new stories, characters, etc. in the Bible to preach and study. However, I need to directly study Jesus more and relate other characters and stories back to Him because, ultimately, it IS about Him!

    Thank you for bringing this to mind! BLB is an awesome resource – blessings to you!

    • Joseph,
      You are so right! When you look at what Jesus did on the Road to Emmaus – He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! BUT, what was Jesus’ solution to this? Luke 24:27 “And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” To open their eyes (and to open the whole bible to us too), He showed them all things CONCERNING HIMSELF. WHEN YOU LOOK FOR JESUS, HE IS everywhere IN THE BIBLE! When you go over to verse 24:44, it says He would have taught HIMSELF in the psalms too, had they not arrived at their home. Truly, when we keep our eyes on Jesus, He will open and enlighten our eyes to all the truths of the Word. It all comes alive when your teaching starts with Jesus. God bless you!

  11. Just when I thought that I was all alone in my current circumstances, far away from my help, this lovely reminder comes right on time! Thank you Lord, for remembering me!

  13. And He said unto me, My Grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in [your] weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Cor 12:9

    This verse set me free from “trying” to live for Christ. Knowing He also says to cast all our anxieties upon Him for He cares for us, I finally realized the old adage, “God only helps those who help themselves,” was a lie. The Lord helps those who KNOW they are weak and in need of Him and His strength. Let us trust whole-heartedly, part of the wonderful intercession He makes for us is in sending the Holy Spirit to teach His Grace IS Sufficient.

    “…when I am weak, then am I strong…” 2 Cor 12:10

    • The apostle Paul wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “To be absent from the body is to be present with the LORD.” II Corinthians 5:6-8.

      Loving the LORD Jesus Christ is more than just a feeling or an emotion. He said, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My commandments.” The blessings of God are not apart from the obedience of His people. “If you abide in My Word and My word abides in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.” I am amazed through the Gospel of John… Jesus was comforting His men because He was going away and they were in panic mode. He said,”If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is no Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me.” (John 14:23-24.) The indwelling Holy Spirit invades the heart of the born again believer. This believer is obedient to Christ’s commandments, because he wants to be.

  16. Jesus timing is perfect. I needed to read this today! I read this blog as my homepage. I use the graphics as my wallpaper. Everyday my concerns are answered.

    I am struggling with an addiction and have turned it over to Christ Jesus. I have been unsuccessful on my own after so many attempts.

    I now am feeling the confidence that Jesus’ love is sufficient.

    Turn your cares upon Jesus and he will set us free. I am diligently studying his word.

    My time is short here. Eternity is forever.

    It is my fondest wish and delight to be on the right side of the Gulf.

    Thank you Lord Jesus for your intercession for me!

    Pat

  17. I awake to find the intercessor in me, awaking me to pray for thee. Wjenever we pray at the insisting of the Lord for others it is Christ praying through thee. He uses your voice, jeart and for for Him to intercede for the world. Allow Him to pray through thee.

  18. I awake to find the intercessor in me, awaking me to pray for thee. Whenever we pray at the insisting of the Lord for others it is Christ praying through thee. He uses your voice, heart and love for Him to intercede for the world. Allow Him to pray through thee.

  19. Just to think that when we’re in Prayer,Jesus is in Prayer in the next room”….”That the Glory of God!!

  21. I am not sure if this is the right place to ask this. I would email it if I knew the proper address of someone who can answer this.

    A very evil person said this to me. “I will see you at ‘bloody Shiloh’.”

    What do you think this means Biblically?

    I know the Tabernacle once rested at Shiloh during Samuel and Joshua’s time.

    Thanks to all who respond to this.

    Pat

  24. Thank-you for this reminder very very helpful and encouraging that jesus is always our intercessor. Thank you lord for your son!

    Thank-you jesus for helping us in the good fight!

  25. John 16:26,27 Jesus says he does not have to pray for us as the Father loves us:

    “In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf;”
    This is amazing closeness to the Father!

  26. I am a servant of God for more than 30 years and actively involved in helping others to know God more but still find difficult on “How” to pray during some difficult and discouraging time in my personal life. Thank you so much for I need not worry about “how & what” to pray for HE is interceding for me.I feel so relaxed and peaceful!Good to know He is next to my room!Thanks

    • The spirit also makes intercession for us when we pray in the spirit:

      Romans 8:26&27
      Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
      And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God.

  27. The heart of Reverend McCheyne is open and real. That is effective and necessary. The truth that our Intecessor intercedes for me is cool. May I make His intercession answered prayer by living what He prayed. It helps to know what He prayed – some were very high prayers. How to attain? It is necessary to live the grace – by the Spirit. Well… help Lord! Thank you Blueletter!

  28. Thank God for this. Really came right on time. Hebrews 7:25 is something that I feel I had forgotten. Thank you God for your faithfulness through this site.

  30. I read some verses today in the NIV that remind me of the intersession Jesus Christ has for us:

    Hebrews 6:19 & 20
    We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.