He Ever Lives to Make Intercession

This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 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 7:22-25

This week we are in John 17. Jesus is spending a final night with the disciples before His crucifixion. Judas has been dismissed from the group and is conspiring with the chief priests to arrest Jesus. Although He is about to suffer the greatest trial anyone has ever suffered, Jesus spends this final night ministering to His disciples - the very disciples He knew would soon abandon Him.

John 13-16 is a record of what Jesus said to His Disciples, and John 17 is a record of how Jesus prayed for His disciples on that final night. It is also a record of how He prayed for you and me.

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In John 17 we come full circle as we get a glimpse of the inner workings of the Trinity. Jesus is about to return to the former glory He had with the Father:

And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. -- John 17:5

This is the same glory we read about in the opening chapter of John:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. -- John 1:1-2

John 17 also gives us a glimpse of how Jesus prays for His own. This was not just a prayer for the disciples, it was a prayer for everyone who would come to believe the Gospel of Christ:

"I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. -- John 17:20-21

We also see there is a special care Jesus has for His people:

I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. -- John 17:9

Notice what Jesus desires for us in this prayer:

• That the Father would keep us (John 17:11)
• That we would have joy (John 17:13)
• That we would be sanctified (John 17:17)
• That we would be unified (John 17:21)
• That we would see the glory of Christ (John 17:24)

That is probably far different than how most of us pray for ourselves and others. Jesus is concerned with the things of eternity, and we are too often concerned first and foremost with the things of this world. There is certainly a place for praying about the things of this life. After all, didn't Jesus teach us to ask for our daily bread, and doesn't the Father know we have need of such things?

But how often do we neglect eternal matters in our prayers? How often do we seek the things of earth over the Kingdom of God? Seeing how Jesus prayed for us offers a needed corrective to our earthbound prayers.

Furthermore, it should give us exceedingly great comfort and assurance to know Jesus is praying for us. Consider how He prayed for Peter:

"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." -- Luke 22:31-32

We can be certain Jesus prays in a similar manner for us -- that our faith will not fail as well. J.C. Ryle comments:

The continued existence of grace in a believer's heart is a great standing miracle. His enemies are so mighty, and his strength is so small, the world is so full of snares, and his heart is so weak, that it seems at first sight impossible for him to reach heaven. The passage before us explains his safety. He has a mighty Friend at the right hand of God, who ever lives to make intercession for him. There is a watchful Advocate, who is daily pleading for him, seeing all his daily necessities, and obtaining daily supplies of mercy and grace for his soul. His grace never altogether dies, because Christ always lives to intercede (Hebrews 7:25).

If we are true Christians, we shall find it essential to our comfort in religion to have clear views of Christ's priestly office and intercession. Christ lives, and therefore our faith shall not fail. Let us beware of regarding Jesus only as one who died for us. Let us never forget that He is alive for evermore. Paul bids us specially remember that He is risen again, and is at the right hand of God, and also maketh intercession for us (Romans 8:34). The work that He does for His people is not yet over. He is still appearing in the presence of God for them, and doing for their souls what He did for Peter. His present life for them is just as important as His death on the cross eighteen hundred years ago. Christ lives, and therefore true Christians "shall live also."

Scripture is replete with promises about the love of Christ toward His own and His constant intercession on their behalf:

Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. -- Romans 8:34

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. -- 1 Timothy 2:5-6

For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. -- Hebrews 9:24

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. -- 1 John 2:1

Jesus is not idle after His death and resurrection. Even now He is watching over us as the Great Shepherd of our souls, and He ever lives to intercede on our behalf.

What Did You Expect?

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. -- James 1:2-4

It was something every boy dreams about. The big game is on the line and you're in overtime. With the fate of the game on your shoulders, you run into the end zone and catch a textbook perfect pass from your QB. But then something goes horribly wrong; inexplicably the perfect pass slips through your fingers and you fumble the ball. Certain victory turned into a humiliating defeat and you single handedly lost the game for your teammates, coaches, and fans. There is no getting around it. You blew it, big time

I won't mention the player’s name, but that is exactly what happened to a pro football player a couple of years ago. Not long after the game, he took to his twitter account and wrote:

"I PRAISE YOU 24/7!!!!!! AND THIS HOW YOU DO ME!!!!! YOU EXPECT ME TO LEARN FROM THIS??? HOW???!!! ILL NEVER FORGET THIS!! EVER!!! THX THO…"

That football player, who was a professing Christian, was devastated by the loss and angry at God. Apparently he believed that God owed him a trouble free life that was free from failure, disappointment, and hardship. He had certain expectations of God, and when God did not meet those expectations, he was devastated. But were his expectations biblical?

As Christians, what kind of expectations should we have about this life? Should we expect limitless success and comfort with the wind always at our back? If Christian television is any indication, we should expect marvelous success in all that we do. In fact, many preachers claim that faithful Christians can expect health and wealth, as well as good parking spaces at the mall. They claim that if we are having a good year, we can expect an even better year to follow. But is that true? Did God promise us a trouble free life of plenty? Did God promise that we would catch the game winning pass? Expectations are very important, because wrong expectations can shipwreck our faith.

Here's the reality (to quote the late Rich Mullins), "There's bound to come some trouble to your life." As Christians, we are not immune to the normal trials and tribulations of life. In addition to the common trials of life, we can also expect various forms of persecution. In our text this week we find that Jesus prepared His disciples by forewarning them.

Consider these passages from John 15 and 16. (Remember, chapters 13-16 is a single discourse that Jesus gave to His disciples the night before His crucifixion.)

"If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. -- John 15:18-20a

"I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.-- John 16:1-2

Notice that Jesus prepared His disciples, not only by comforting them, but He also prepared them by forewarning them about the difficulties they would face. Notice particularly in John 16:1, He said, "I have said all these things to keep you from falling away." Consequently, we can see how important it is to understand that trials and tribulations are part of the Christian life. Enduring trials is a vital ingredient in a faith that will persevere to the end. In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus described the kind of faith that will not endure to end, and it is the kind of faith that withers in a trial.

As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. -- Matthew 13:20-21

Notice, the rocky ground is the individual who falls away because of tribulation or persecution. If we expect smooth sailing because we are following Christ, we will not endure through times of real difficulty and persecution. Any gospel that promises an easier life by adding Jesus is a false gospel. The Apostle Peter wrote:

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. -- 1 Peter 4:12-16

Comfort in the Pain

So what is our comfort in the midst of trials? Our comfort and joy is Christ Himself, not our circumstances.

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." -- John 16:33

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.-- 1 Peter 1:6-9

The Apostle Paul, when facing a painful trial that he would describe as a thorn in the flesh wrote:

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. -- 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Thankfully, we can endure trials, not by our own strength, but by the grace of God. By the power of Christ, we can face trials with a deep abiding joy and peace, even as tears fall from our eyes because we are secure in Christ, and He has promised to never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5-6). Christ Himself is our greatest treasure, and we have everything we need in Him. In Christ we have a treasure so great that it defies comprehension, and any suffering that we face in this life cannot compare to the glory of the next.

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. -- Romans 8:16-18

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. -- Ephesians 1:3-14

What to Expect

In this life we can expect trials and tribulations along with the comfort that only Christ can give. In the life to come we can expect glory beyond comprehension. Christians are not exempt from the pain and tears of this life, nor are we guaranteed to catch the game winning pass. But in Christ we find strength, joy, peace, and comfort in the midst of our trials. It is a joy and peace that surpasses our understanding and guards the heart and mind (Philippians 4:7). We can surely rejoice and say, "The Lord is my helper, I will not fear, what can man do to me?"

Bound to Come Some Trouble

Abide in Me

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. -- John 15:1-2

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. -- John 15:5

Many, many years ago when I was a boy, my mother took particular pride in her roses. Back then I was more interested in my bicycle and toys, so I can't say that I really noticed or appreciated her efforts until later in life. These days she can no longer care for her roses as she once did, so I've taken more of an interest in her roses lately, and it has only caused my love and respect for her to deepen.

Unfortunately, I do not have a green thumb and my lack of talent in this area is quite obvious. The year started out pretty good. I asked my mom for advice and I watched several DIY videos and got to work. After an initial blaze of glory and blooming roses, everything has fizzled and I have no idea why. To date there is a big difference between my roses and those my mother once cultivated.

I'm learning that it takes constant work, care and talent to cultivate roses. There needs to be continual pruning, feeding and watering, as well as the vigilant look out for anything that might threaten the health of the plants. It requires me to bend and stoop and closely inspect the leaves and stems as I try to thoughtfully cut and prune. The work is never really done.

That is the picture Christ gives of the Father's constant care for His Children. He is not aloof and uninvolved in our lives. But rather, He is closely involved with His children and watches over us with the greatest of care. With perfect wisdom He cuts and prunes in a way that brings health and vitality to the soul, causing us to bear much fruit. Although the atheist might scoff at the notion, God is intimately involved with His creation. His eye is on the sparrow, He knows the number of hairs on your head, and He watches over His children with particular care and vigilance like a vinedresser.

My little adventure into gardening has not only caused my admiration for my mother to deepen, it has also helped me understand the constant care and vigilance of God in a new way. Thankfully, our Heavenly Father is much better at these things than I am, and His crop will never fail to bear fruit.

The Abiding Life

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. -- John 15:4-5

What does it mean to abide in Christ, and what does it look like in our daily lives? What is the evidence that we are abiding in Christ? J.C. Ryle offers this insight:

To abide in Christ means to keep up a habit of constant close communion with Him,—to be always leaning on Him, resting on Him, pouring out our hearts to Him, and using Him as our Fountain of life and strength, as our chief Companion and best Friend.—To have His words abiding in us, is to keep His sayings and precepts continually before our memories and minds, and to make them the guide of our actions and the rule of our daily conduct and behavior.

This raises several questions such as: What truly brings delight to my heart and what is the sweetest meditation of my soul? Do I love God's Word, or is it collecting dust on the shelf from non-use? Am I fixated and hoping in the things of this world, or do I find my greatest rest and joy in Christ?

What is the evidence that we truly love Christ? Consider the following verses:

"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. -- John 14:15

Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him." -- John 14:21

Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. -- John 14:24a

You are my friends if you do what I command you. -- John 15:14

Look closely at the preceding verses. Although there are commands in Scripture to be obeyed, these particular verses are not so much commands to be obeyed, but rather, they are indicators of a life that is truly abiding in Christ. If we truly love Christ, it will manifest itself in a love for His Word and obedience. If Christ has truly taken hold of the soul, it will transform what we love, what we hate, and where we find our deepest joy. It will transform the mind and affections. Consequently, it is in the nature of every believer to truly delight in God, and there will always be ample evidence for those things that truly delight us. It will become evident in what we do, how we spend our time, as well as the speech that bubbles up from the heart.

Bearing Fruit

By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. -- John 15:8

Remember, chapters 13-17 of John's Gospel takes place on the night before Christ's crucifixion. It is one continual discourse that Jesus gave to comfort and strengthen His disciples. Woven throughout this discourse is the promise of the Holy Spirit.

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. -- John 14:16-18

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. -- John 14:26-27

"But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. -- John 15:26 

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. -- John 16:7

Christ promised to send the Holy Spirit to every believer. As a result, the Christian will produce good fruit as sure as the night follows the day. It is in the nature of the Christian to produce fruit in the same way that it is in the nature of an apple tree to grow apples. They will flow naturally from the life of Christ that resides in every believer through the Spirit. The true believer will have new affections, new desires, and new joys. They have found that the yoke of Christ is easy and His burden is light.

There are many kinds of fruit in the Christians life, but for our purpose here, we are going to take a brief look at the fruit of the Spirit.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. -- Galatians 5:22-25

That is quite a list of attributes isn't it? Those are the very attributes of Christ that the Father cultivates and grows in every believer through the power of the Spirit. What an amazing gift. And to what end does He give this incredible blessing? It is for our good, our joy, and God's glory.

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. -- John 15:11

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. -- 2 Corinthians 3:18

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. -- Hebrews 13:20-21

All of this continues to raise the question, is there any evidence of the Spirit's work in our lives? Are we growing in the fruit of the Spirit? Are we growing in love? Do we have real joy in the Lord? Are we patient, kind, and self-controlled? Do we even desire these things? If so, that is good evidence that we truly belong to Him. If not, there is reason to be concerned. We are told, even as believers to exam ourselves (2 Corinthians 13:5) because it is possible to be self deceived (James 1:22).

Once again, let's look at another sobering insight from J.C. Ryle:

"… there are false Christians as well as true ones. There are "branches in the vine" which appear to be joined to the parent stem, and yet bear no fruit. There are men and women who appear to be members of Christ, and yet will prove finally to have had no vital union with Him.

There are myriads of professing Christians in every Church whose union with Christ is only outward and formal. Some of them are joined to Christ by baptism and Church-membership. Some of them go even further than this, and are regular communicants and loud talkers about religion. But they all lack the one thing needful. Notwithstanding services, and sermons, and sacrament, they have no grace in their hearts, no faith, no inward work of the Holy Spirit. They are not one with Christ, and Christ in them. Their union with Him is only nominal, and not real. They have "a name to live," but in the sight of God they are dead."

Although we will never be perfect this side of heaven, God is real and so is the evidence that He is in our lives. I suspect that if you are truly abiding in Christ, this chapter has been a source of great comfort and joy. But on the other hand, if this chapter has disquieted and convicted your soul, it may be an indication that you are not abiding in Christ.

May we do a sober assessment of ourselves this day, and if we find that we have been mere professors with a cold heart and no fruit, even that realization is a grace of God and an invitation to cry out to Him for the mercy that He abundantly gives. And may the truth of His Word draw us closer to Him this day.

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. -- 2 Peter 3:9

Abide With Me

J.C. Ryle -- Repent to the Gate of Heaven

Luke 13:1-3
(1) There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
(2) And he answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way?
(3) No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.

THE murder of the Galileans, mentioned in the first verse of this passage, is an event of which we know nothing certain. The motives of those who told our Lord of the event, we are left to conjecture. At any rate, they gave Him an opportunity of speaking to them about their own souls, which He did not fail to employ. He seized the event, as His manner was, and made a practical use of it. He bade His informants look within, and think of their own state before God. He seems to say, "What though these Galileans did die a sudden death? What is that to you? Consider your own ways. Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."

Let us observe, for one thing, in these verses, how much more ready people are to talk of the deaths of others than their own. The death of the Galileans, mentioned here, was probably a common subject of conversation in Jerusalem and all Judea. We can well believe that all the circumstances and particulars belonging to it were continually discussed by thousands who never thought of their own latter end. It is just the same in the present day. A murder,—a sudden death,—a shipwreck, or a railway accident, will completely occupy the minds of a neighborhood, and be in the mouth of every one you meet. And yet these very persons dislike talking of their own deaths, and their own prospects in the world beyond the grave. Such is human nature in every age. In religion, men are ready to talk of anybody's business rather than their own.

The state of our own souls should always be our first concern. It is eminently true that real Christianity will always begin at home. The converted man will always think first of his own heart, his own life, his own deserts, and his own sins. Does he hear of a sudden death? He will say to himself, "Should I have been found ready, if this had happened to me?"—Does he hear of some awful crime, or deed of wickedness? He will say to himself, "Are my sins forgiven? and have I really repented of my own transgressions?"—Does he hear of worldly men running into every excess of sin? He will say to himself, "Who has made me to differ? What has kept me from walking in the same road, except the free grace of God?" May we ever seek to be men of this frame of mind! Let us take a kind interest in all around us. Let us feel tender pity and compassion for all who suffer violence, or are removed by sudden death. But let us never forget to look at home, and to learn wisdom for ourselves from all that happens to others...

If we have already repented in time past, let us go on repenting to the end of our lives. There will always be sins to confess and infirmities to deplore, so long as we are in the body. Let us repent more deeply, and humble ourselves more thoroughly, every year. Let every returning birthday find us hating sin more, and loving Christ more. He was a wise old saint who said, "I hope to carry my repentance to the very gate of heaven."

Good News and Bad News

I have some good news and some bad news. First the bad news along with my sincere apology, there will not be a new lesson this week. I simply ran out of time, but I will post a new lesson next week. In the meantime, this is an excellent opportunity to catch up if you've fallen behind, and by all means download and listen to the sermons that I have posted. They are vital to our study.

Now the good news. If you have been following this blog you are aware that I requested prayer several weeks ago for my mother and aunt who had both taken seriously ill. I am thankful and overjoyed to report that they are both doing very well and I would like to thank everyone for their prayers. Yesterday we received the test results for my mom and they came back clear, and we are all very thankful. God has been gracious to us.