Sometimes we need an advocate. An advocate is someone who stands by your side and fights on your behalf.
A child in the ICU, for example, needs an advocate, someone who will work tirelessly to make sure the child gets the necessary care. An advocate reminds medical personnel of a patient’s history, prior conversations, and consults.
Sometimes that advocate has to firmly “encourage” hospital administrators to keep promises or insurance companies to honor a claim.
Sometimes, however, we need an intercessor. An intercessor is a go-between of a different kind.
While an advocate fights on behalf of people who can’t fight for themselves, an intercessor fights for people who don’t deserve an audience with the other party.
Because God, our heavenly Father, is holy, and we are unworthy (due to our sin) to ask Him for anything, we need an intercessor. The New Testament assures us that when it comes to that topic, we are well covered.
Jesus intercedes for us. “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:25).
The Holy Spirit intercedes for us. “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans” (Romans 8:26).
Who else could possibly be our intercessor? What other beings are holy enough in their own right to stand before the throne of God and plead our case? In a strange twist of history and theology, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit become the intercessors we need before God the Father.
Because nobody else would be able to meet these needs, God Himself becomes our advocate, intercessor, and Savior.
Where do you find it comforting to know God is your intercessor?
