One of the blessed guarantees and results of our salvific justification is the intercession of the Lord Jesus on our behalf (Rom. 8:34). The Apostle Paul in his letter to the church in Rome encourages his readers that God works out “all things” for the good of those who love God and who have been “called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28). God in his grace has predestined, called, justified, and glorified those whom he foreknew (Rom. 29-30), and because of this Paul rhetorically asks “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8: 31).
The implied answer is of course that no one or anything can “separate us from the love of Christ” (Rom. 8:35; cf. 8:39). God is the reason for our election and salvation and it is God “who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all” (Rom. 8:32). Our justification is based on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:34) and thus there is no condemnation for the elect and no charge can be brought against us (Rom. 8:33-34; cf. 8:1).
The Lord Jesus not only died for our sins and rose again for our redemption but he also ascended into heaven to take his rightful place at the “right hand of God” (Rom. 8:34). Being at the right hand of God signifies a place of highest honor as well as supreme power to rule and reign over all. It is not just a place of sovereign rule but also a position of action and specific function. One of the primary ministries of the resurrected and exalted Jesus Christ is intercession on our behalf.
This is an extremely important and exciting blessing and benefit that we must always be aware of and be thankful for. Jesus being the sovereign king of the universe actually intercedes for us as our great high priest. In contrast to the earthly temporary intercession of the priests in the Old Covenant, the high priesthood and intercession of Jesus on our behalf is eternal guaranteeing our salvation to “the uttermost” (Heb. 7:25).
Jesus as our intercessor petitions for us in the presence of the Father. In John’s Gospel we have a beautiful example of an intercessory prayer made by Jesus to the Father on the behalf of his elect people. What a comfort to know that our blessed Savior forever lives to continually pray for us and stand for us in the presence of God our Father. Because of the death, resurrection, exaltation, and intercession of Jesus we can have great peace and assurance about our certain salvation as well as the strength to carry out his will with joy in our earthly existence. Thanks be to God and to him alone be all the glory!
