The sons of the prophet Eli were scoundrels. They had no regard for the LORD or for the duties of the priests to the people. They took for themselves portions of offerings meant for God. They lay with the women who served at the church. When Eli became aware of his sons’ conduct, he was sorely broken. He confronted them in 1 Samuel 2: 25, if one man sins against another, someone can intercede for the sinner with the LORD; but if someone sins against the LORD, who can make intercession?
Today, in abusing the grace of God, we also steal from the church; we commit sexual sin among our members; we desecrate the church in many ways. We do not show reverence to God anymore because he is slow to anger and abounding in his steadfast love. We depend on our own wisdom to determine what is right. Engaging in church activities with prominence or making donations to the church amounts to no intercession for our sins.
Who can intercede for us before God?
In answer to Eli’s query, Jesus is the only one ordained to intercede for us when we sin against God. Revelation 5:2 says… “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break the seals?” And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. Only Jesus was found worthy. Revelation 5: 9 says… “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slaughtered and by your blood you ransomed for God, saints from every tribe and language and people and nations.
Only Jesus is worthy to intervene for everyone irrespective of our tribe, language, race, people, region or nation for the reasons as follows;
He is ordained by God as our intercessor
John 3: 16-17 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in his name may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Believing in his name means doing his will. Matthew 7: 21 says “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord; will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.
Paul wrote in Romans 3: 25 God put forward Jesus Christ as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith… because in his forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed. Jesus intercedes for our sins by his blood through faith. Romans 8: 34 says it is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Hebrews 7: 25 says he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. Intercession through Christ Jesus is for all times whilst we live.
Why is Jesus the only intercessor?
Paul said in Ephesians 1: 7 in him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace. He is the only one in whose blood there is power to forgive sins and for our redemption. Colossians 1: 20 says through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. It is in him only that God is pleased to forgive and to reconcile us to himself.
Jesus also intercedes by his Holy Spirit. Romans 8: 26-27 says the Spirit helps is in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. No other being can intercede by the Holy Spirit except Jesus the Christ. Jesus affirmed his intercessory authority when he said in Matthew 28: 18, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. No other being has all authority in heaven and on earth but Jesus.
Acts 4: 12 says there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved. In effect, it is he who can save that can intercede and Jesus is the only one. Jesus said in Matthew 11: 28, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. When Jesus intercedes for us, we have rest in him from our worries.
Who are the false intercessors?
The false intercessors are the false prophets who are agents for Satan. Jesus cautioned in Matthew 24: 5; Mark 13: 6; Luke 21: 8 for many will come in my name saying, ‘I am the Messiah!’ and they will lead many astray. Jesus questioned in John 5: 43, I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; if another comes in his own name, you will accept him. We must not despise the blood of Jesus.
Smooth words, signs and wonders cannot intercede for our sins before God but the precious atoning blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. 2 Corinthians 11: 14 says and no wonder! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Peter therefore said in 1 Peter 5: 8, discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Jesus shed his blood for us as our intercessor. He is the only qualified intercessor for mankind. Have we come to Jesus?
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, we acknowledge you as our only intercessor before God. Against all our sins, please intercede for us and by your Holy Spirit. Let your blood continue to please on our behalf before your judgment seat. In our repentance in you, please Lord, preserve us in the beauty of your holiness. We pray in your holy name, Amen!!
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