The Unwavering Love of Christ
As fallen, anxious sinners, we are prone to perceiving reasons for Jesus to cast us out. We are factories of fresh resistances to Christ’s love. But the truth is, no such reason exists. Every human friend has a limit, but with Christ, our sins and weaknesses are the very resumé items that qualify us to approach him.
A Heart of Tender Love
Christ’s heart is a steady reality flowing through time. It isn’t as if his heart throbbed for his people when he was on earth but has dissipated now that he is in heaven. His heart is as drawn to his people now as ever it was in his incarnate state. And the present manifestation of his heart for his people is his constant interceding on their behalf.
Intercession: The Constant Application of Atonement
Intercession applies what the atonement accomplished. Christ’s present heavenly intercession on our behalf is a reflection of the fullness and victory and completeness of his earthly work, not a reflection of anything lacking in his earthly work. Intercession is the moment-by-moment application of that atoning work.
Advocacy: A Deep Solidarity
Jesus shares with us in our actual experience. He feels what we feel. He draws near. And he speaks up longingly on our behalf. As our advocate, Jesus assuages, or turns away, the just wrath of the Father toward our sins. His advocacy rears up when occasion requires it, speaking louder than our failures.
A Righteous Advocate
We are unrighteous; he is righteous. Even our best repenting of our sin is itself plagued with more sin needing more forgiveness. To come to the Father without an advocate is hopeless. But with Christ as our advocate, we have calm and confidence before the Father.
Sins and Failures: No Match for Christ’s Advocacy
The Bible nowhere teaches that once we have been savingly united with Christ, we will find grievous sins to be a thing of the past. But Christ’s advocacy rises higher than our sins. His advocacy speaks louder than our failures. It’s God’s way of encouraging us not to throw in the towel.
Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ
This is the heart of Christ for sinners and sufferers. A heart of tender love, constantly interceding on our behalf. A heart that advocates for us, speaking up longingly on our behalf. A heart that is gentle and lowly, yet powerful and effective.
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