TEXT: I John 2:1-2

SUBJECT: Great High Priest

Jesus Christ is our Great High Priest. In that office, He does two different works. One of them comes to mind all the time, but the other is easily forgotten. But both are necessary. Unless He does both, we are not saved. We cannot be saved.

The first work is to offer a sacrifice to God for sinners. On the cross our Lord did this, giving Himself up to the judgment and wrath of God in the place of His People. This is the better known part of His priestly work—and it’s over and done with—there remains no more sacrifice for sins.

The second part of His Priestly office is mentioned far less often in the Bible, but it is no less important than the first. It is the work of Intercession, or praying for sinners. When the sacrifice was offered, under the Old Covenant, the priest’s work was not done. He then prayed for the benefits of the sacrifice to be applied to Israel. When the prayer was answered, the Atonement worked (you might say) and the people got the blessings it promised.

The Lord’s ministry followed the pattern. After offering Himself to God in our place, He rose from the dead and then—forty days later—He took the seat of honor at God’s Right Hand. From that High Place, He began praying for us—praying the Father would accept His offering on our behalf; praying, in short, that we would be saved. The intercession He began that day, didn’t end five minutes later or even that day or week or year. No, He is still praying for us—for 2000 years, Jesus Christ has poured out His heart for your salvation and mine.

And the Father has answered that prayer. And will answer it. At the tomb of Lazarus, our Lord prayed, I know that You always hear Me…What a dear word that is—always! Our prayers are often turned down because they’re foolish or sinful or because God has something better for us.

But the prayers of our Lord Jesus Christ are as perfect as He is, and His Father never says No to Him. This means we are saved, we are being saved, and we will be saved. Because He ever lives to make intercession for us.

This is the Lord we recall at His Table this day. The One who’s up in heaven praying more and harder for us than we are for ourselves.

Prayer

Lord’s Supper