Our Advocate | Christ Our Mediator

An advocate or mediator is someone who is on your side—a person who speaks in your defense so that you can receive a fair judgment. An advocate is like a lawyer in a jury trial that defends the one being charged with a crime.

Inside an American courtroom. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

When God set up the earthly tabernacle and its system, He was giving an indication of what will take place during the final judgment of this world’s history. The heavenly court, however, is unlike any court in the world.

The lamb that was slain for the sinner in the earthly tabernacle symbolizes how in the heavenly court the guilty party has someone who is willing to take their punishment. This, of course, is Jesus, who died on the cross for our sins.

An active participant in the earthly sanctuary was the high priest. This very important person would plead the case of the sinful people in the holy place daily.

The high priest would also go before the mercy seat in the most holy place once a year and ask God to accept the Israelites’ repentance and the substitute sacrifice for their sins. He carried in with him the blood from the sacrifice to show that they were indeed guilty and acknowledged that they could only have forgiveness and find acceptance with God if they recognized the promised Messiah. The people of Israel knew that the lamb was only a representative of the true Messiah.

Jesus is not only the Lamb that was slain but also the High Priest who pleads our case before the throne of God and the universe:

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous (1 John 2:1 emphasis added).   

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time (1 Timothy 2:5-6 emphasis added).   

But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises (Hebrews 8:6 emphasis added).  

After Jesus fulfilled his role as the Lamb of God on the cross, He rose from the grave and went to heaven to perform His second role as our High Priest, and this is what He is still actively doing today.

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…But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us (Hebrews 4:14-15; 9:11-12 emphasis added).

Jesus entered into the courts of heaven with the blood of His own sacrifice and is listening to our prayers of confession and sorrow for our sins. He pleads His very own blood on our behalf, because we have acknowledged our guilt and have accepted His substitution for us. When Satan will one day stand in accusation against God’s people, we will truly understand the importance of Jesus as our Advocate. He not only speaks for us but He is also our friend (see John 15:13).

Imagine having your best friend as your lawyer or advocate. Would he not put forth his best efforts to get you a fair trial and dismissal? Since we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, we rightfully should be convicted. But because Jesus pays for our penalty, we can be freed from the condemnation we otherwise deserve (see Romans 8:1).

We couldn’t ask for more favor in the heavenly courts. With our best friend as advocate, defense lawyer, and even the one that pays our debt, and with his own Father as judge, Satan the prosecutor doesn’t stand a chance. Of course, he will try, and many times will make us feel like there is no hope as we look back on our sin-stained lives. But, Jesus still stands as High Priest and Advocate and we can rely on His expertise.

As long as we have accepted Jesus as our Advocate and our Substitute, He will work for our release from the shackles of sin. The Bible tells us that Jesus never gets discouraged and that He will win the victory. Can we turn down such a fantastic setup?

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