Advocacy

Intercession: intervening or pleading on behalf of another

Jesus interceded on the cross.

In the Old Testament, it was the responsibility of the priest to approach God on behalf of the people.

The priest offered sacrifice to God on behalf of the people.

The priest transferred guilt of sins to the sacrifice.

And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness:Leviticus 16:21

The priest deemed those who offered sacrifice absolved of guilt.

And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you:Leviticus 16:29

Jesus assumed the role of both sacrifice and priest.

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.Hebrews 4:14-15

Jesus intercedes for us in Heaven.

“Our Lord’s intercession is not so much in what He says as in what He is. He pleads by His presence on His Father’s throne, and he is able to save to the uttermost through His intercession, because of His perpetual life and His inviolable, undelegated, intransmissible priesthood.”

He is the only intercessor.

But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.Hebrews 7:24-25

We don’t access the Father through relatives, saints, angels or Mary.

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.John 14:13-14

He is the only mediator. mediator: one who restores peace between two parties

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;1 Timothy 2:5

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.Acts 4:12

“To be of any use, a bridge across a chasm or river must be anchored on both sides. Christ has closed the gap between deity and humanity. He has crossed the grand canyon, so deep and wide, between heaven and earth. He has bridged the chasm that separated man from God. With one foot planted in eternity, he planted the other in time. He who was the eternal Son of God became the Son of Man. And across this bridge, the man Christ Jesus, we can come into the very presence of God, knowing that we are accepted because we have a Mediator.”

He is our only advocate. Advocate: a legal term, speaking of counsel who speaks in our defense The advocate does not maintain our innocence but confesses our guilt. Then he enters his plea before the Father on our behalf as the one who has made “atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:Hebrews 9:24

If you are not a child of God, Jesus has made a way for you to be made clean.

If you are a child of God, Jesus is with you and for you.