Thursday, January 24, 2013

INTERCESSION 101: The New Testament Way


Intercession in the New Testament (NT) is very different from intercession in the Old Testament (OT). In the OT intercessors stood as it were, between God and people, pleading with and begging God to spare them from His anger and judgement after they had rebelled against His commands. 

God would send prophets to warn them, to get them to turn from their rebellious ways, with promises of restoration and blessings if they do, or face His judgement if they don’t. Many would fast and pray, crying out to God for mercy, they would even don sackcloth and smear ashes on themselves as a sign of contrition and repentance.

Abraham is the first “intercessor”, if you will, mentioned in the Bible. After learning of God’s impending judgement on Sodom and Gomorrah, he interceded for those two cities and God listened to Him and I believe He would've spared those cities if there were just ten righteous people in them, too bad those two cities combined didn't have ten righteous people in them. How sad is that (Genesis 18:16-33).

Moses also pleaded with God not to destroy Israel and even asked God to “repent”, and guess what… the Almighty, thrice Holy, perfectly sinless God repented, yes He did, God changed His mind, God relented! (Exodus 32:14) And that’s not the only record we have of God “repenting”, there are several others . Now, as much as I’m tempted to go off on a tangent to address the "repenting of God spoken of in the Scriptures" or the prevalent incorrect interpretations given to the word “repentance” by many today, I’ll refrain…I choose to stay on topic…Intercession, intercession, intercession…

Daniel interceded for His people the nation of Israel, he confessed his sins and the sins of the whole nation and God heard him and responded to him  (Daniel 9:1-23).

In the OT we see people mediating between God and man, and God honoring their intercession with His mercy and grace. God even actively looked for those who would intercede, those who would "stand in the gap" to avert judgement on the land (Ezekiel 22:30). This kind of intercession was acceptable at that time, as it was a type foreshadowing the perfect sacrifice of Christ that would ultimately take away sin that had separated man from God.  

The moment the perfect sacrifice of the perfect lamb of God, Jesus Christ, was offered on the cross, this type of intercession became obsolete. Right now Jesus, our Lord is in the very presence of the Father interceding for us, eternally. Here’s what the Word says:

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 NIV

Today we should not be interceding for others following the OT pattern. There is only ONE MEDIATOR between God and man and that is JESUS. Jesus is the one who makes intercession for us before the Father. So for the New Testament Christian today to go about in sackcloth and ashes, fasting and  praying, crying out to God and interceding that He wouldn't destroy a nation is  unnecessary. It is an exercise in futility at best and an insult to the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ at worst. The thing is, no one can improve on, nor add on to what Christ has done.  

So, what is the role of the NT intercessor today? I'm glad you asked.

Well, first of all, in Christ we are all called to be intercessors, the Scriptures calls each one of us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17, Luke 18:1, Ephesians 6:18). We are ALL called to pray for all men and women, and for those in authority. Prayer is not a ministry assigned to a chosen few. Each one of us is the temple of the Holy Spirit and He helps us, each one of us, to pray according to the will of God. Remember in Matthew 21:13 Jesus said “My house will be called a house of prayer…”  guess what! You are His house, His dwelling place.

We have plenty of examples in the NT where the church prayed together or where believers prayed for one another for various reasons ranging from boldness in ministry to healing and so on.

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. – 1 Timothy 2:1-6 NIV

Intercession in the NT is not for God to spare nations of His wrath and impending judgement but for people to be saved and come to know Jesus, who is the Truth, the Way and the Life. The apostles and believers in the early church never practiced OT style intercession, not even once! They prayed for believers to be strengthened in their faith, the Apostle Paul prayed for believers to be filled with the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of God. He prayed for the eyes of their understanding to be enlightened so that they may know who they were in Christ, their hope in Him, and the riches of their glorious inheritance that is in Him (Ephesians 1:17-19).

The early church prayed for open doors and opportunities to spread the Good News of God’s grace and salvation. Even as they were threatened and persecuted, they prayed for boldness to keep on preaching the Gospel because they knew what was at stake, that is, souls of people whom Christ had already died for. It is God’s desire to save every single person without exception, He doesn't want anyone to perish.

Jesus told us to pray that God will send forth laborers into the fields for the harvest is ready and it is plenteous, now that is NT intercession. And as we each allow the Holy Spirit to lead us into this type of intercession we will see the fruit of it, for it is the very heart of God himself.

37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” – Matthew 9:37-38 NIV     

As we begin to intercede this way, we will find ourselves quickly being reminded by the Holy Spirit that we've already been recruited and equipped for the harvest.

15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. – Mark 16:15 KJV

Is it any wonder that they were said to have overturned their then known world with the Good News of Jesus Christ!

…“These who have turned the world upside down have come here too” – Acts 17:6b NKJV

So go ahead, intercede the NT way and experience the power of the resurrected Christ, the Savior of the world, flow through you to save, heal, deliver and bless others.

In Christ, you are already blessed!

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