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I. ITS NATURE.

1. As it implies a distance between the Father with whom Christ intercedes and those for whom He intercedes, so its aim and design is to remove this distance (1 John 2:1; John 17:20-24).

2. In order to the attaining these ends, it consists primarily in Christ presenting continually before God that sacrifice He made of Himself on earth (Hebrews 9:24-26; Revelation 5:6; Hebrews 9:12; Hebrews 12:24).

3. Yet it may be reasonably presumed to comprehend some direct signification of His mind and will to the Father, in a manner worthy of Himself, concerning those for whom He intercedes. We are naturally led to conceive thus of Christ's intercession from the word itself, which properly signifies pleading. His work in heaven is also sometimes represented under the notion of His asking and praying to the Father (Psalm 2:8; John 14:16; John 16:26). But this is very different from that of all others, or even His own, in the days of His humiliation. The style of His intercession is majestic, as of One who has authority to challenge what He signifies His desire and will about (John 17:24).

4. One branch of it is to take care of the prayers of the saints on earth, to commend and present them to God, and to secure acceptance for them (1 Peter 1:5; Revelation 8:3; Hebrews 4:14-16; Hebrews 10:21, 22; Hebrews 13:15; Colossians 3:17).

II. ITS PROPERTIES.

1. It is just and right.

(1) It is the intercession of One who Himself is holy, and ever stood right with the law of God.

(2) It is also right in itself; not a mere suit for mercy, but a plea addressed to justice, for what He has first purchased.

(3) It is also carried on in a perfectly holy manner, and according to the will of God. Thus is our Advocate, in all respects, Jesus Christ the Righteous (1 John 2:2).

2. It is in common for the whole household of God, yet distinct and particular for every member; and in order to this, it is qualified with His perfect knowledge of what concerns them all.

3. It is conducted with consummate skill and prudence, and to the best advantage. We often ask and have not, because we ask amiss; but as Christ understands thoroughly the cause of His clients, He varies and disposes His pleas according to the nature and exigency of every case.

4. It is most affectionate and earnest. All His people's conflicts and complaints are not only before Him, but within Him (Hebrews 4:15; Hebrews 2:18).

5. It is constant and perpetual as long as there is any saint left to be brought to glory (Hebrews 7:25).

6. It is ever prevalent and successful. The interest of all is wrapt together; the Advocate is a dutiful Son to the Father, a loving Brother to the client, and God is a tender Father to them both. Christ knew in the days of His flesh that the Father always heard Him. And can the success of His prayers, or His confidence of their success, be less now He has the price and pledge of all He asks for in His hands?

III. ITS USES.

1. It manifests God's glory. Is it not congruous, while the sins of those whom God will save are continually pleading on earth against the favours He is doing and designing for them, that the blood of perfect atonement should be alway pleaded in heaven against the crying guilt of these sins, and produced as a just ground of all the ample largesses of His grace to those who are daily making themselves unworthy of them? Does it not make it visible all over heaven with what strict regards to His holiness and justice He proceeds in dispensing the fruits of His grace?

2. It promotes Christ's own glory. As He glorifies the Father in the continual discharge of this office, so no less does the Father glorify Him in advancing Him to it (Hebrews 5:4, 5).

3. It undoubtedly answers many unknown uses in respect to the inhabitants of the invisible world. Saints and angels behold the whole transaction. And who can tell how large a part of their happiness may arise from the sight of Christ's performing His temple service in the midst of them?Application: The subject —

1. Teaches the humility and reverence which becomes us toward God at all times and in all our addresses to Him.

2. Inspires hope in God's mercy and grace for our salvation, together with frequent and cheerful addresses to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:14-16; Hebrews 10:19-22).

3. Comforts the saints under all the difficulties, dangers, and troubles of the present state. As long as Christ preserves His interest in heaven, He can never fail of an interest on earth.

4. Naturally and powerfully suggests our loving, cleaving, and living to Christ (Hebrews 4:14; Hebrews 10:21-23).

5. Attracts the hearts of Christians from earth to heaven, and points their supreme views and desires thither (Colossians 3:1, 2).

(J. Hubbard.)

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KJV: Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

WEB: Who could bring a charge against God's chosen ones? It is God who justifies.