verb (used without object), in·ter·ced·ed, in·ter·ced·ing.
1. to act or interpose in behalf of someone in difficulty or trouble, as by pleading or petition: to intercede with the governor for a condemned man.
2. to attempt to reconcile differences between two people or groups; mediate.
3. Roman History . (of a tribune or other magistrate) to interpose a veto.
It’s not what you know, it’s who you know
So many of my friends are looking for work. Some have been looking for work for a long time, even though they’re extremely qualified. One of those friends has been blessed with a job opportunity to work in the industry he most recently worked. How did he know about the job? Because of his friend. The opportunity was available to him because of who he knew. It pays to have those kind of connections. The same is true for us in our spiritual lives.
Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
What an awesome thought. It is not by anything we know or do, but by who we know and believe in that we are saved. We are blessed to know that Jesus is at the right hand of God interceding for us. Yes we’ve made mistakes. Yes, we’ve sinned and fallen short, but our friend, Jesus is willing to put his neck on the line for us with His Father. He’s putting in a good word, mending the fences and pleading for grace on our behalf.
What is Jesus saying?
Well, I don’t really know, but I’m guessing it may be something like this. Yes Father, Jill does keep looking at herself in the mirror. Yes she can be a bit vain. But Lord she does have a heart that wants to seek you. (Then He uses the trump card). Remember, I died for her.
Enough said. God loves me, and He loves His son even more. When Jesus says, “I died for her”, there is no more discussion needed. The payment has been made, and God sees me as the grafted-in adopted daughter He loves.
These verses follow directly after our reading for today. Romans 8:35-39.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Nothing shall separate us from the Love of God through Christ Jesus. So our Friend whom we love, Jesus, will never be separated from us. We can always trust that He is interceding on our behalf. And because of His love, we are assured that we will remain in Him through hardship, persecution, famine or nakedness or sword. We are more than conquerors. Praise God for His love, understanding and provision.
If it’s not what you know, but who you know, do you know Jesus?
Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
God is... 