Jesus Christ: Our High Priest and Heavenly Advocate

Jesus Christ is our great High Priest and Advocate who takes our sincere petitions, mingles them with the incense of His own righteousness, and presents them acceptably before the Father8T 177.2+2. He is the connecting link between God and man, placing the whole virtue of His merit on the side of the suppliant to ensure our prayers are heard and answered8T 177.2+1.

The Divine Process of Intercession

• The Heavenly Censer: Christ stands at the golden altar in the heavenly sanctuary, holding a censer filled with His spotless meritsSSP 146.1+1. As we offer our prayers, He adds "much incense," which represents His perfect obedience and righteousness, to our petitionsSSP 146.1+1.

• Fragrance and Acceptance: Our prayers, though often feeble or stammering, are made fragrant by the Redeemer's love and are presented as a sweet savor to God13LtMs, Lt 22, 1898, par. 5+1. This fragrance consumes the unworthiness of our requests so they reach the throne of grace with power and weightPTUK February 16, 1899, page 112.5+1.

• A Personal Advocate: Jesus is not merely a distant mediator; He encircles the repentant soul with His human arm while grasping the throne of the Infinite with His divine arm8T 177.2+1. He pleads for us individually, knowing our every necessity and temptationSpTA09 79.1+1.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit works in harmony with Christ's heavenly mediation by inditing acceptable prayers of confession and repentance within our heartsLLM 87.1+1. When we do not know how to pray as we ought, the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words Romans 8:26-27LLM 87.1. This internal work of the Spirit prepares the soul to receive the bright beams of the Sun of RighteousnessST August 22, 1892, par. 5+1.

The Constant Need for Mediation

• Daily Support: Our need for Christ’s intercession is constant; we require His grace and peace every morning and evening6BC 1078.6. He keeps us by His intercession just as surely as He redeemed us with His blood, for if He were to let go of us for one moment, the enemy would stand ready to destroy7ABC 477.3.

• A Sanctuary Work: This work of conveying prayers and blotting out sins is currently taking place in the Most Holy place of the heavenly sanctuaryEW 42.1+1. We are living in the antitypical Day of Atonement, a time to diligently seek God and ensure our characters are being purified by the blood of ChristLSMS 114.2+1.

• The Closing of Probation: A time is coming when Christ's mediation will cease, and the "open door" to the sanctuary will be shutGC88 429.2+1. Those living at that time must stand in the sight of a holy God without a mediator, having had their characters purified from every spot of sinLSMS 114.2+1.

Encouragement for the Believer

It is your high privilege to carry every grief and woe to God in prayer, trusting that you have a Friend in Jesus who bears your burdensMessenger January 4, 1893, par. 4+2. You can come boldly to the throne of grace to find help in time of need, for your Advocate ever lives to make intercession for you Hebrews 4:14-16+18LtMs, Lt 63, 1893, par. 62. As you approach the Father through the merits of the Redeemer, you are clothed in His priestly vestments and accepted in the Beloved11MR 366.1+1.

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" Hebrews 4:16.