Jesus' Continual Prayer for His Sheep
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The Savior who lives to Pray
"Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7:25
What do you live for?
Many people live for their family, their career, a hobby, a sport, a car, even a bicycle.
What does Jesus live for?
Hebrews 7:25 says "He always lives to pray for those who draw near to God through Him." Jesus lives to cover us in prayer.
I started this email last night and I knew I needed more time to meditate on it. This morning I went on a 29 mile bike ride and my plan was to meditate on this verse as I rode my bike. At about mile 15 my left shoulder started really hurting. Immediately I thought...my shoulder hurts because I don't have my carbon frame bike yet. If I had a new carbon bike THEN my shoulder would feel wonderful. If I had a new carbon bike I bet my legs wouldn't even hurt. At that moment God intervened. I love it when God intervenes. I didn't hear Him audibly, but in my heart I knew it was Him. His words were simple. "Really Steven? A carbon bike will make your ride that much better?"
It was at that moment I began to think about things I ignore regarding cycling. Things like good diet, stretching, technique, working on core strength. The truth is I want to ride fast, but I'd prefer to ride fast without doing the work. Riding fast while eating junk food, not sleeping well, not stretching and ignoring good technique. I want all the perks, but I am slow to put in the work. After all, the carbon frame bike will put in all the work.
You may be wondering...what does this have to do with Jesus living to intercede for us? Just like a carbon frame bike won't matter much if I don't put in the work there are things that dull our ears to hearing Jesus pray for us. The one who draws near hears Jesus pray for him. There are so many exhortations in the Bible that help us hear Jesus' prayers for us. Set your hearts on things above (Col. 3:1), set your affections on things above (Col. 3:2). It is difficult to eat junk food and ignore God's Word and prayer and hear Jesus' pray for you.
This might be best illustrated by the Parable of the Prodigal Son. His "carbon frame bicycle" was his share of the inheritance. He was sure it would deliver happiness, but all things apart from God over promise and under deliver. What's amazing in this parable is that the Father never stopped praying for the lost son. There was just a season when the prodigal chose to be deaf to it. And then there was an awakening. Jesus' prayers are effectual - no matter how long you have been ignoring Him eventually He will breakthrough. When the son's money runs out he remembers his Father. He "comes to himself," he "returns to his right mind" and he draws near to the Father - he heads Home.
I don't know where you find yourself today. Perhaps you believe a certain formula or way of living will cause your life to be worry free and pain free. Perhaps you think if you do ABC God will do XYZ. Life doesn't work that way, but there is one thing we can count on. Jesus lives to pray for us. He will never stop. He doesn't only pray when we are drawing near to Him. He doesn't only pray when we are faithful. He ALWAYS PRAYS because HE IS ALWAYS FAITHFUL. And the evidence of His prayers on our behalf is when we "return to our right mind" and return Home.
Jesus lives to pray for us. May we live lives of drawing near to Him. There are eternal pleasures at His right hand (Psalm 16:11).
Gripped by grace,
Steven