The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ serves as our advocate before God the Father. This is an incredibly important role that Jesus fulfills on behalf of all who trust in Him for salvation. But what exactly does it mean for Jesus to be our advocate? Let’s explore this biblical concept more fully.
The Meaning of “Advocate”
The Greek word translated “advocate” in reference to Jesus is parakletos. This word can mean one who is called alongside to help, a legal advocate, an intercessor, a helper, or a comforter. The basic idea is that an advocate is someone who pleads your case before a judge or helps represent you before the law. Jesus fulfilling this role means He stands before the Father on our behalf.
1 John 2:1 states, “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.” Here John clearly explains that Christians have an advocate in God’s presence – Jesus Christ. Even when believers stumble into sin, Jesus has not abandoned them but continues to serve as their advocate, defending them before the Father.
Why Do We Need an Advocate?
Humanity’s fundamental problem is sin. Romans 3:23 tells us “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Sin separates us from a holy, perfect God. God’s righteous judgment and wrath rightfully rest upon sinners (John 3:36).
Even after salvation, Christians still struggle with sin and the flesh. Galatians 5:17 explains that “the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.” Without help, sin would overwhelm us.
So why do we need an advocate? Because we need someone to stand in the gap for us – representing us before God, defending us from condemnation, and pleading our case for mercy and grace. Our advocate Jesus shields us from the full weight of God’s wrath against sin. Through Christ, God’s justice and holiness are satisfied, while His mercy and grace are extended to undeserving sinners.
Jesus Uniquely Qualifies as Our Advocate
The Bible presents Jesus as the only one qualified to be our advocate before the Father. Hebrews 7:25-26 tells us that Jesus “is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.” What makes Jesus uniquely fit for this advocacy role?
- Jesus is the God-man. As 1 Timothy 2:5 states, “There is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” Because Jesus is both fully divine and fully human, He can represent both God and man before the Father as the perfect mediator and advocate.
- Jesus lived a sinless life. Unlike other human advocates who are themselves sinful, Jesus’ perfection makes Him “holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners” (Hebrews 7:26). His righteousness was demonstrated by a lifelong obedience to the Father that no other human can match. God will certainly hear the advocacy of His own perfect, beloved Son.
- Jesus’ advocacy is grounded in His atoning sacrifice. 1 John 2:2 identifies Jesus as “the propitiation for our sins.” He turns aside God’s wrath by paying the penalty for sin on the cross. Now the demands of God’s justice have been fully satisfied by Christ’s substitutionary death, meaning He can righteously advocate for sinners rather than condemning them.
- Jesus has defeated sin and death. After rising again from the grave, Jesus declared His victory over sin and death – the enemies that formerly condemned us. Now He lives eternally to intercede for us (Hebrews 7:25). The advocate we need is not only righteous Himself but has overcome the very things that once separated us from the Father.
Because of who Jesus is and what He has accomplished, the Father readily receives His advocacy on our behalf. No one else comes close to qualifying for this role. There simply is no advocate like Jesus!
The Scope of Christ’s Advocacy
Jesus does not just advocate for certain Christians at certain times. Rather, His advocacy extends to all believers at all times. 1 John 2:1 assures that “if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” His advocacy is not limited but available to each and every Christian. Other key truths about Jesus’ advocacy include:
- Jesus’ advocacy is continuous. He “always lives to make intercession” for believers and His priestly work is “permanent” (Hebrews 7:24-25). We can never exhaust His advocacy for us because it rests on His finished work, not our performance.
- Jesus’ advocacy is not limited by our failures. Even deliberate sins do not disqualify us from Christ’s advocacy. While grievous to God, even these sins are covered under the blood of Jesus when repented of (1 John 1:9).
- Jesus’ advocacy covers all aspects of salvation. From justifying sinners, to sanctifying believers, to ultimately glorifying the redeemed – Jesus represents us across all aspects of God’s saving work for us.
- Jesus’ advocacy continues even when we are unaware. His intercession is not dependent upon our asking or knowledge but continues ceaselessly night and day before the Father’s throne in heaven (Romans 8:34).
What amazing comfort it is to know that the advocacy of Jesus is unlimited in its scope! There is no sin, failure, or circumstance that can exclude us from His advocacy if we are in Christ.
How Jesus Advocates for Us
But how exactly does Jesus fulfill His role as our advocate? What does His advocacy look like in action? The Bible indicates at least four key ways Jesus advocates for believers before the Father:
- Jesus pleads our case. An advocate argues on behalf of their client. In a similar yet infinitely greater way, Jesus appeals to the Father on the basis of His substitutionary atonement, making a case for our mercy and grace (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 9:24).
- Jesus intercedes for us. As our great High Priest, Jesus enters God’s presence to make petitions and requests on our behalf, seeking what is needed for our good (Hebrews 7:25, 9:24; Romans 8:34).
- Jesus defends us against accusation. Satan is called “the accuser of our brothers” (Revelation 12:10). But Jesus refutes any accusation brought against us, arguing for our acquittal and pardon before the Father.
- Jesus comforts us. The word translated “advocate” also means comforter. Jesus mediate the Father’s peace, comfort, and help to us in our distress (John 14:16-18).
Each aspect of Jesus’ advocacy reflects His divine grace at work to save us, sustain us, defend us, and comfort us. What amazing blessings flow from the advocacy of Christ!
The Blessings from Jesus’ Advocacy
Why is Jesus’ heavenly ministry of advocacy so significant for the Christian life? In what practical ways does His advocacy bless and help us?
- Jesus’ advocacy means we are forgiven. 1 John 2:1-2 teaches that Jesus is the “atoning sacrifice for our sins” who cleanses us from all unrighteousness when we confess and repent.
- Jesus’ advocacy grants us access to God. Because of Christ’s work, we can now boldly approach God’s throne to “receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
- Jesus’ advocacy means we have an eternal inheritance. As our mediator, Jesus guarantees the promises of the new covenant, including our future resurrection and the eternal inheritance stored up for us in heaven (Hebrews 9:15).
- Jesus’ advocacy sustains us when accused. We can point to Jesus’ advocacy and finished work when Satan, the law, our conscience, or other forces condemn us in Christ.
- Jesus’ advocacy gives us confidence to persevere. Even when we stumble into sin, we know that through Christ we are still loved and accepted by the Father as His beloved, adopted children.
- Jesus’ advocacy means we are never alone. Whatever hardships we face, we have the greatest companion – Jesus – pleading our case before His Father and seeking the help we need.
Truly, the whole Christian life is blessed by Jesus’ heavenly ministry as our advocate. His advocacy powerfully enables us to walk closely with the Father and face each day with comfort, hope and courage.
Our Responsibility in Light of Christ’s Advocacy
How should understanding Jesus as our advocate shape how we live as believers? Here are some key implications:
- We can freely draw near to God. Because of Christ’s work, we should eagerly approach God’s throne in prayer, worship, and adoration (Hebrews 4:16).
- We should quickly confess and repent of sins. Jesus’ advocacy should motivate holiness while providing a remedy through confession when we do stumble (1 John 1:8-2:2).
- We can resist Satan’s accusations. When the devil or our conscience condemns us, we point them to Christ’s finished work and ongoing advocacy for us.
- We should be filled with assurance. Our salvation and relationship with God don’t depend upon us but upon Jesus’ unchanging advocacy, giving us firm assurance.
- We can come boldly to God with our needs. Just as Christ presents His requests to the Father, so we now can present our prayers and petitions with confidence.
- We should love and obey Jesus in gratitude. Our advocate has done everything to save us and continues advocating for us. Our right response is wholehearted love and obedience.
The doctrine of Christ’s heavenly advocacy should transform how we live each day here on earth. His advocacy means we are fully accepted by the Father and have direct access to His throne of grace, where Jesus Himself pleads our case at all times. Hallelujah, what a Savior!
Jesus Continues Advocating Today
Is Jesus still actively advocating for Christians right now? Absolutely! Here are key truths to remember:
- Jesus’ advocacy is grounded in His finished work. His perfect sacrifice and resurrection 2,000 years ago fully qualified Him to be our advocate, a role He now lives out.
- Jesus ascended to heaven as our advocate. Acts 1:9-11 records that after His resurrection Jesus ascended bodily to heaven where He is now seated at the Father’s right hand.
- Jesus lives forever to intercede for us. Unlike human high priests, Jesus’ resurrection means He permanently holds His priestly office to advocate for us (Hebrews 7:23-25).
- The Holy Spirit continues Jesus’ work in us. Sent by the Father and Jesus, the Spirit works out Jesus’ advocacy in our lives (Romans 8:26-27, John 14:16-18, 26).
- Jesus will return to consummate His advocacy. When Jesus visibly returns, He will transform us fully into His glorious image and usher us into the Father’s presence for eternity (1 John 3:2).
Never for a single moment is Jesus not actively advocating for His people as He promised. We can be fully confident of His ceaseless, loving defense of us before the Father’s throne in heaven.
Jesus Christ – Our Perfect, Heavenly Advocate
What an amazing comfort it is to know that Jesus stands in heaven even now interceding for us as our advocate! He is the God-man who has lived a perfect life, offered a complete atoning sacrifice, defeated sin and death forever, and ascended to the Father to plead our case at all times. His advocacy applies to every single Christian and covers every circumstance we face. As our advocate, Jesus brings us complete forgiveness, confidence, and access to God’s throne of grace. Hallelujah, we have an advocate in God’s presence – Jesus Christ the righteous! He is able, willing, and committed to advocating for us forever.