High Priest, Intercessor, and Advocate

The Bible tells us that Jesus is our High Priest, our Intercessor, and our Advocate. Any one of those roles is powerful in and of themselves, but woven together they form an unbeatable combination.

Jesus Our High Priest

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:14-18 (New International Version, NIV)

This passage tells us that Jesus is indeed our High Priest and what He has done and will do for us as our High Priest. Hebrews 3:1 instructs us to consider Jesus the High Priest of our confession, or profession. Jesus watches over the words of our mouths, and as they line up with His Word, He sets out to fulfill what we have professed. As our High Priest, He serves in God’s presence on our behalf to fulfill His work at Calvary, to fulfill the Word of God that we pray and speak, and to minister our worship to the Father. And as the High Priest, Jesus releases fresh fillings of His Spirit and His provision in our lives. As we confess God’s Word, Jesus our High Priest confesses the same Word to God and God brings His Word to pass in our lives (Jeremiah 1:12, Isaiah 55:11)

Jesus Our Intercessor

Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7:25 (New International Version, NIV)

An intercessor is a mediator or a go-between. As we pray and get in agreement with Jesus’ High Priestly ministry, He releases intercessory prayers in defense of our case and to bring about supernatural turnaround and breakthrough. The ministry of Christ is set in motion on our behalf. Jesus intercedes, or prays for us based on God’s Word, which is His will. Through the intercession of Christ we access God’s love, help, presence, provision, etc. (Hebrews 4:16)

Jesus Our Advocate

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. I John 2:1-2 (New International Version, NIV)

An advocate is one called alongside to help, one who takes our side and pleads our case like a defense attorney. Jesus pleads our case before the Father, the Righteous Judge, and against satan the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10). Jesus reminds the Father of His finished work at the cross and all that the blood of Jesus provides the believer. When satan accuses us, trying to bring a case against us in the court of heaven, as our Advocate acts as our Defense Attorney before God. Jesus pleads our case with a motion for the pardon of our sins based on His shed blood. Jesus reminds the Father that he is our Substitute and received the punishment we deserved, thus satisfying God’s justice. Jesus defends, stands up and speaks up for us in the courts of heaven- what a wonderful Savior!

As we speak God’s Word, Jesus our High Priest speaks the Word to the Father in the courts of heaven, thus interceding for us. We find love and provision because Jesus our Advocate stands up for us so we win every time and continue in fellowship with our Father.