We are not alone when we have to "keep going."
Christ tasted the brokenness of our world, experienced the agony of death and endured the separation of wrath.
He did all of this for us.
He rose from the dead - obtaining forgiveness for us.
He ascended into heaven - indicating that His work of redemption was complete
He sits at the right hand of God - where He prays for us.
In the Old Testament it was the priest's job to intercede ("come between" or "connect") God and His people. The priest would bring the needs of the people to the Lord. In times of drought, war, disease and famine the priest sought the face of God. In times of celebration like circumcisions and weddings the priest mediated God's blessing and pleasure. People found it difficult to relate to and appropriate God's interest and presence in their lives but the priest made it easier for them to grasp these truths.
Jesus is our ideal mediator. An Old Testament priest could be corrupt, fallible and frail. Jesus is none of those. He is holy, perfect and eternal.
And He prays for us.
He represents us to God.
And He knows what and how to ask on our behalf because He's been where we are.
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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
