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What is so great about Jesus? He is our advocate.

We are all familiar with the concept of an advocate through the work of attorneys. Websters definition in this regard is simple: “one who pleads the cause of another.” An attorney makes our case for us, using his legal expertise, logic, persuasive abilities, and position. The beauty of an advocate is that we neither have to think of our own defense, nor present it. An expert is committed to making our most effective case for us! 

If you have ever needed an advocate, as I have, you know how wonderful it is to have a capable advocate defending you! 

In the Old Testament we see instances of advocates standing before God on behalf of God’s people. For example, when Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments from God, God’s people—worried by Moses’ long absence—built and worshipped a golden calf. God contemplated punishing them. “But Moses implored the LORD his God and said, ‘O LORD, why does your wrath burn hot against your people . . .?’” (Exodus 32:11). Moses was an effective advocate. “And the LORD relented from the disaster that he had spoken of bringing on his people” (Exodus 32:14).

Before whom, though, does Christ appear as our advocate? Just as Moses, Christ stands in the presence of his Heavenly Father to plead our case, whenever we sin. “If anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One” (1 John 2:1). 

But against whom does Christ contend as our advocate? The Bible is clear that there is one whose primary mission in life is making accusations against God’s people, Satan himself. Satan accused Job of serving God for the ease God gave him. “Satan answered the LORD and said, ‘Does Job fear God for no reason?’” (Job 1:9). Satan accused Joshua the high priest (Zechariah 3:1). Satan came against Simon Peter as well. “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” (Luke 22:31-32). 

How strong is Satan’s case against you? I know his case against me is very tight. With such a powerful prosecutor working for our destruction it is really smart to have the best advocate available. 

Who needs Christ to advocate for them? Anyone who has ever sinned and therefore faces God’s judgment. “For the wages of sin is death….” (Romans 6:23). Who does that include? All of us. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). 

But for whom will Christ serve as an advocate? Anyone who asks him to serve as their defense attorney, and this pro bono! “Whoever comes to me I will never cast out” (John 6:37). This is incredibly good news! The most experienced, persuasive, and well-connected advocate offers his services to any, free of charge. “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 7:25). 

How effective is Christ as our advocate when we enlist his services? Perfectly. He has never and will never lose one case. “This is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:40). 

Jesus Christ is The Advocate. The Advocate we all need to appear on our behalf, before the Court of God his Father, against the accusations of Satan himself. Christ will, as Advocate, defeat and finally vanquish the Accuser of the God’s People. “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God” (Revelation 12:10). 

Let us turn to Jesus as our Advocate, enlisting his remarkable intercession. “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).