4. Since Christ is an intercessor, I infer that he has wherewithal in readiness to answer any demands that may be propounded by him that he has been by us to renew peace and let out of that grace to us that we have sinned away and yet need. Oftentimes, the offended say to the intercessor, Well, thou comest to me about this man; what interest he has in you is one thing, and what offense he has committed against me is another. I speak now after the manner of men. Now, what can an intercessor do if he is not able to answer this question? But now, if he can answer this question—that is, according to law and justice, no question—he may prevail with the offended, for whom he makes intercession.
Why, this is our case; to be sure, thus far, we have offended a just and holy God, and Jesus Christ becomes the Intercessor. He also knows full well that for our parts, if it would save us from hell, we cannot produce towards peace with God so much as poor two farthings; that is, not anything that can by law and justice be esteemed worth a halfpenny; yet he makes intercession. It follows, therefore, that he has wherewith of his own if that question afore is propounded, to answer to every reasonable demand. Hence, it is said that he has gifts as well as a sacrifice for sin. 'Every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices; therefore, it is of necessity that this man has somewhat to offer.' (Heb 8:3) And, observe it, the apostle speaks here of Christ as in heaven, there ministering in the second part of his office: 'For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest.' (verse 4) These gifts, therefore, and this sacrifice, he now offereth in heaven by way of intercession, urging and pleading as an Intercessor, the valuableness of his gifts for the pacifying of that wrath that our Father hath conceived against us for the disobediences that we are guilty of. 'A gift in secret pacifieth anger; and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.' (Prov 21:14)
What gifts these are, the Scripture everywhere testifies. He gave himself, he gave his life, and he gave his all for us. (John 6, Gal 1:4, 1 Tim 2:6, Matt 20:28) These gifts, as he offered them up at the demand of justice on Mount Calvary for us, so now that he is in heaven, he presents them continually before God as gifts and sacrifices valuable for the sins, for all the sins that we, through infirmity, do commit, from the day of our conversion to the day of our death. And these gifts are so satisfactory, so prevalent with God, that they always prevail for a continual remission of our sins with him. Yea, they prevail with him for more than for the remission of sins; we have, through their procurement, our graces often renewed, the devil often rebuked, the snare often broken, guilt often taken away from the conscience, and many a blessed smile from God and a love-look from his life-creating countenance. (Eph 3:12)
5. Since Christ is an Intercessor, I infer that believers should not rest at the cross for comfort; justification they should look for there; but, being justified by his blood, they should ascend up after him to the throne. At the cross, you will see him in his sorrows and humiliations, in his tears and blood; but follow him to where he is now, and then you shall see him in his robes, in his priestly robes, and with his golden girdle about his paps. Then you shall see him wearing the breastplate of judgment and with all your names written upon his heart.
Then you shall perceive that the whole family in heaven and earth is named by him, and how he prevails with God, the Father of mercies, for you. Stand still awhile and listen; yea, enter with boldness into the holiest, and see your Jesus as he now appears in the presence of God for you; what work he makes against the devil and sin, and death and hell, for you. (Heb 10:9) Ah! it is brave following of Jesus Christ to the holiest; the veil is rent, and you may see with an open face as in a glass, the glory of the Lord. This, then, is our High Priest; this is his intercession, and these are the benefits of it! It lies on our part to improve it, and wisdom to do that also comes from the mercy seat, or throne of grace, where he, even our High Priest, ever liveth to make intercession for us, to whom be glory forever and ever.
