March 13, 2024 – Draw Near
Wednesday, March 13, 2024:
Pause. Pray. Read. Be still. Write. Pray. Go about your day or turn in for the night.
Read: Hebrews 7:23-25 and John 17:9-20
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 7:25, ESV)
And
Who then is the one who condemns? No one.
Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—
is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
(Romans 8:31, NIV)
These two verses threw me the lifeline I needed in one of my most despairing moments. At the end of my rope and self, I walked into my office, shut the door, and drew near to God like I had never done before. In that moment, the Hebrews verse was providentially the one I read for my next Bible study lesson. The phrase “he always lives to make intercession for them” caught my heart and transformed forever my relationship with Christ.
Only today’s two verses of Scripture include the word intercession. In Greek, it carries the idea of coming near or approaching someone with a request, especially in the context of acting, pleading, or praying on behalf of another who is in trouble or needs forgiveness. Also note its present and present progressive tenses, not past tense.
As I drew near and reached out to Christ that evening, he was already talking with the Father on my behalf. This is the transformative truth we can hold in our hearts – Jesus Christ is our high priest who took upon himself the sins of all believers and who now continually intercedes for us – acting, pleading, or praying on our behalf before the throne of God. What an awesome, humbling picture of what happens when we draw near to God.
Be Still and Reflect: In your most challenging moments, have you experienced the profound impact of knowing that Jesus is continually interceding for you before God? How does this realization shape your approach to Him in times of need? Take a moment to listen and sing along if you wish to this hymn by Fanny Crosby, Draw Me Nearer.
Pray: Gracious Father God, I thank and praise You for the transformative truth revealed through the intercession of Jesus Christ on my behalf. Daily, whether in ordinary or extraordinary moments, whether in despair or joy, remind me to draw near to You like never before. May this awareness deepen my relationship with You, making me more reliant on the constant and present intercession of our high priest, Jesus Christ. In His name, I pray. Amen.
By His Grace,
Gloria