Part 2 Christ's Intercession for Tried Faith
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But we must not forget that the great preservative of faith, especially of tried faith, is the intercession on its behalf of the great High Priest within the veil. And yet no part of our Lord's mediatorial work is more overlooked than this, while no part is fraught with richer and more varied blessing to the Church of God. This work of intercession constituted an essential and a delightful part of the priestly office of our Lord Jesus. Not to atone only, but upon the ground of that atonement to base His office of advocate, and with the plea of that atonement to appear in the presence of God as an intercessor, equally entered into the engagements of Christ in behalf of His people. A moment's reference to the Levitical type will throw much light upon this part of the Savior's work. It will be recollected that the high priest, on the day of expiation, was to slay and to offer the sacrifice in the outer part of the tabernacle; after which he entered within the sanctuary, bearing in his hands the blood of atonement, and sprinkled it seven times upon and before the mercy-seat. He was then to bring a censer full of burning coals from off the altar, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, within the veil, and place it upon the fire before the Lord, "that the cloud of the incense might cover the mercy-seat."
All this was beautifully typical of the atonement and intercession of Jesus our great High Priest. The basis of our Lord's intercessory work is the great atonement of His own blood, with which He has fully met the claims of Justice, paid to the law its extreme demands, and blotted out the handwriting that was against His people in pronouncing their sins entirely and forever cancelled. Upon His atonement Jesus takes His stand as an Intercessor in heaven, within which He has gone to sprinkle His blood upon the mercy-seat, and to present the incense of His infinite and precious merits. Having purged our sins, He is forever sat down at the right hand of God, not in a state of inglorious ease, nor cold forgetfulness of His Church on earth, but to plead as its Advocate and to pray as its Intercessor each moment with the Father, pressing His suit on the ground of Justice, and resting His petition on the basis of merit. "For Christ has not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us." "He ever lives to make intercession."
Look up, O you of tried faith, and behold within the veil your Savior there, clothed in His sacerdotal robes, the great High Priest of heaven's temple, the glorious Advocate of heaven's chancery, representing His Church, and for each individual as for the whole body, praying the Father that the weak and tried faith of His saints might not fail. This is no image of the imagination. This is no picture of the fancy. It is a blessed and glorious reality, that our once atoning and now risen and exalted Redeemer is in heaven, bearing the breastplate upon His heart and the ephod upon His shoulder, in which each name is set of all the tribes of Israel. Yes, poor tried and suffering believer, your name is there, written not only in the Lamb's book of life, but written in the Lamb's heart of love.
In approaching God in any spiritual service, why is it that your person is an object of His complacent delight? Because Jesus presents it. Why do your prayers, imperfectly framed and faintly breathed, come up before the altar with acceptance and power? Because Jesus is in heaven, and as your pleading Advocate separates your petition from all its flaws, and as your interceding Priest purifies it from all its sin, and presents it as a 'golden vial full of aroma' to His Father. And when in pensive sadness you have trodden your lonely path, the spirit chafed, the heart wounded, the world desolate, and a thousand images of terror and of gloom filling the vast void, O little did you think that within that veil, so awfully mysterious to you, there stood one- your Friend and Brother, your Advocate and Priest- who knew your secret sorrow, and who at that moment was pouring out His full heart, His whole soul, in powerful and prevalent intercession, that your tried and wavering faith might not fail.
Nor must we overlook the individuality of our Lord's intercession. This is one of its most interesting features: "I have prayed for you." As if forgetting for that moment the whole Church, and regarding Peter as representing in his person each tempted believer, Jesus makes him the especial object of his prayer. How much comfort do we lose in overlooking this truth- in not more distinctly recognizing the personal interest which each believer has in the love of Christ! "My grace is sufficient for you." "I have prayed for you" are the gracious words with which Jesus would meet each individual case.
Think not, then, O believer, that you are alone, unloved, uncared for, unthought of; Jesus bears you upon His heart; and if loved and cared for, and remembered by Him, you can afford to part with some creature stream, however loved and valued that stream may be. Keep your eye intently fixed upon your Lord's intercession. In every tribulation look unto Jesus, mark His gracious hand directing the scourge and mingling the bitter cup; tempering its proper degree of severity, appointing the limit of its continuance, and converting seeming disasters into occasions of real good. In every infirmity and failing look unto Jesus, your merciful High Priest, pleading His atoning blood, and on its ground making intercession for you. In every prayer look unto Jesus, your prevailing Advocate, bearing the iniquity of your holy things, and recommending your broken petitions. In every temptation look unto Jesus, the author of your faith, the source of your strength, and the captain of your salvation, who alone is able to lift up the hands that hang down, to teach the fingers to fight, and eventually to make you more than conqueror over all your foes.
We too much lose ourselves in the crowd; and merge ourselves in the mass. We forget alike our individual interest in the covenant, and our personal obligation to glorify God in our different walks of life. But it is the especial privilege of the believer to concentrate upon himself, as in focal power, every thought and affection of God, just as the eye of a well-painted portrait may be said to fasten itself exclusively upon each individual in the room. "I have prayed for you." O cheering declaration! Christian reader, lose not sight of it. Come and lay your hand of faith upon the covenant of grace, and say, "the fulness of the covenant is mine." Lay your hand upon the covenant of God, and say, "the God of the covenant is mine; Jesus its Mediator is my Savior. He obeyed, suffered, bled, and expired, all for me. He has loved me, and has given himself for me. Lord! do You think of me? does my case come up before Your notice? do You bear any burden upon Your arm, my sorrow upon Your heart, my name upon Your lip; and do You pray for my poor, assaulted, and trembling faith? Yes, Lord, You do. I believe it, because You have said it- press the precious truth so rich in consolation to my trembling, grateful heart."
It is another beautiful view of our subject- the anticipative intercession of Christ. "I have prayed for you." The Lord as its shepherd goes before His flock. He precedes it every step, not only to map its path, but also to provide for all the circumstances, the most trivial and minute, of its history. To Him nothing can be unforeseen, from Him nothing can be concealed. No event can surprise Him, no contingency can thwart Him, no difficulty can embarrass Him. The entire history of the individual saint of God, from his first to his last breath, is written in His book, when as yet it had no existence, as minutely and as accurately, as though it were a record of the past. In anticipation of each developed circumstance, of each temptation and trial, difficulty and need- Jesus prays for His people: "I have prayed." It would seem as if the sorrow had reached His heart, before it touched our own; as if the assault had fallen upon Him before it fell upon us; and that, knowing what would transpire, seeing in what critical and painful circumstances His child would be placed, He anticipates his case by especial intercession on his behalf: "I have prayed for you."
Can the mind of the tried believer repose upon a truth more sustaining and soothing than this? It is a glorious unfolding of the love of Jesus, to know that when the sifting came, when faith was actually tried, that then Jesus prayed for the sufferer. But to be assured that before a dart was winged, or a shock was felt, or even a suspicion was awakened that the tempter was approaching, and that danger was near; Jesus, robed in His priestly garments and bearing the golden censer in His hand, had entered within the veil to make especial intercession for that trial of faith! Oh, it is a view of His love, which to the mind of the tempted believer would seem to overtop and outshine all others!
And for what does Jesus pray? That the temptation might not come? that faith may not be tried? O no! He asks not the Father in behalf of His people for their entire exemption from temptation and trial. Full well does He know that if conformed to Him their Head, they must through much tribulation enter the kingdom. Pure and sinless though He was, needing no sifting and no refining, He yet passed through each process as if there were in Him the chaff to scatter and the dross to consume. How much more needful does Jesus see that His people, in whom there is such a mixture of the precious with the vile, so much indwelling sin, so much powerful corruption perpetually seeking to destroy indwelling grace, should not be exempted from the process which, painful though it be, is absolutely needful and eternally good!
But Jesus prays that in the actual trial of faith it might not fail. And mark how signally the prayer was answered in the case of Peter. His faith did not fail. Trace his subsequent history. "When you are restored", said his Divine Master, "strengthen your brethren." He was restored. One look from Jesus, of painful remembrance, of gentle reproof, and of loving forgiveness, broke his heart, "and he went out and wept bitterly." Deep and sincere was his repentance. 'He went out,' apart from others, and sought some retired spot, where, alone with God, he might with tears acknowledge his transgression, and in faith seek the forgiveness of his sin. I repeat- trace his subsequent history. What a loving disciple, what a zealous apostle, what a vigilant pastor, what a useful preacher, what a valiant soldier of the cross, did he afterwards become! The chaff of self-confidence, and false zeal, and light views of sin, was now scattered in the sifting of his faith, and that faith was now purer and stronger than ever. Peter stood more firmly after he had lamented his fall, than before he fell; insomuch, that he found more grace than he lost grace.
Listen to the words with which, at his Master's bidding, he strengthens his brethren after his recovery. He reminds them that they are "kept by the power of God, through faith, unto salvation. Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season (if need be), you are in heaviness through manifold temptations, that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise, and honor, and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ." Now, why is it, O believing soul, that your tried faith has not failed? Why have you passed through the sifting, with not one precious grain fallen to the ground? Because your great High Priest prayed for you before the trial, and prayed for you in the trial, and has not ceased to pray for you since the trial. All upholding grace, all restraining grace, all restoring grace, all establishing grace, has been meted out to you through the channel of your Lord's perpetual and ever-prevalent intercession. O how should this truth endear the Savior to your heart! With what holy contrition should it fill your spirit, and with what sweet affection should it constrain your soul to a simple and an unreserved surrender to God!
But what, my reader, if your religion should prove to be nothing but chaff? Does the bare probability startle you? Ah! there are multitudes whom it might well startle- for multitudes are thus deceived. Not a grain of pure wheat is found in their souls. There is no vitality in their faith, no solidity in their profession, no substance in their religion. Before every wind of false doctrine they bend, and by each blast of temptation they are carried away. The stubble of the field, and the chaff of the threshing-floor (fit emblems of their Christianity), are not more unsubstantial and fleeting than it. All is woeful deception. They have substituted a form of godliness for its power; union to the church for union to Christ; the baptism of water for the regeneration of the Spirit; gospel ordinances for sanctifying grace; works of benevolence for faith in the Lord Jesus. And thus their religion is hollow, unsubstantial, and unreal; possessing a "name to live, they are dead."
And what will be the end of such? Departing into eternity in this state of soul deception- building their hope of heaven upon this false foundation- in their sad experience must be realized the awful description which the evangelist gives of the judgment power of Christ; "whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into his garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." Thus will perish all human religions, all false hopes, all hollow professions, all soul-destroying doctrines- the 'wood, the hay, the stubble,' of a form of godliness- destitute of the power. Unconverted reader, weigh and consider this solemn statement- it is for your life. Examine the nature and foundation of your hope. Let nothing be a substitute to you for the new birth, for faith in Christ, or for love to God. The most beautiful ritual, the most accurate creed, the most costly religion, the most splendid profession, without Christ in the heart, is but as fuel preparing for the final and eternal conflagration. To such the Savior pointedly and solemnly refers, when He says, "Not every one that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name have done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me."
But if, dear reader, you are in possession of real faith, even in the smallest degree, expect its conflict and its trial. It is truly remarked by the holy Leighton, that God never had but one Son without sin, and never one without suffering. The existence of faith seems necessarily to imply, the endurance of suffering. Not, as we have shown in another part of this volume, because of any intrinsic defect in faith, but in consequence of the impurity of the heart in which that faith is lodged, its perpetual admixture with the dross of a mind but partially renewed, its constant contact with the objects and scenes of sense and of earth, render trial as essential to the purification of faith, as the flail to the pure wheat, and as the crucible to the precious metal.
The trials and temptations, therefore, with which God visits His people, are designed, as tests of faith. Without them we should lack some of the strongest evidences of experimental Christianity. Who would wish the stubble and the chaff to render doubtful the existence of the true grain, or the tin and the dross to obscure the luster of the fine gold? Welcome, then, every trial and test of your faith. Welcome whatever stamps its reality, increases its strength, and heightens its luster.
Nor be surprised that this, above all the graces of the Holy Spirit, should be a target for the great enemy of God. As faith is the grace which most glorifies God, which brings the greatest degree of joy and peace unto the soul, and which constitutes its mightiest shield in the conflict, it becomes an especial object of Satan's malignant attack. The most Christ-exalting, God-honoring, and sanctifying of all the Spirit's graces must not expect to escape its fearful assaults. If this 'gold' was 'tried in the fire,' in the sinless person of Jesus, is there not a greater necessity that in our fallen and corrupt nature it should be subjected to a second process of trial? It was tried in the Head to show that it was real gold; it is tried in the members to separate it from the dross with which it becomes mixed in its contact with our hearts. In the one case, the trial was to stamp its divine nature; in the other case, the trial is to purify it from the human nature. Thus are we honored to suffer in some small degree, as our Lord and Master suffered. Therefore, beloved, "do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you; but rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ's sufferings, that when his glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy."
Keep your eye intently fixed upon the intercession of Christ. Is it a privilege to be borne upon the affectionate and believing prayers of a Christian friend? Ah yes! precious channels of heavenly blessing are the intercessions of the Lord's people on our behalf. But there is a Friend still closer to the Fountain of Mercy, still nearer and dearer to the Father, than your fondest earthly friend- it is JESUS, "who ever lives to make intercession for those who come unto God by him." Oh how precious is that declaration upon which in any assault, or trial, or perplexity, you may calmly and confidently repose: "I have prayed for you." Yes, when from confusion of thought, or pain of body, or burning fever, you cannot pray for yourself, and no friend is near to be your mouth to God, then there is one, the Friend of friends, the ever-skillful Advocate, and never weary Intercessor- no invocating saint, nor interceding angel- but the Son of God Himself, who appears in the presence of God moment by moment for you. O keep, then, the eye of your faith immovably fixed upon Christ's intercession; He intercedes for weak faith, for tried faith, for tempted faith- yes, for him who thinks he has no faith. There is not a believer who is not borne upon His heart, and whose prayers and needs are not entwined in His ceaseless intercession.
When you deem yourself neglected and forgotten, a praying Savior in heaven is thinking of you. When you are tried and cast down, tempted and stumble, the interceding High Priest at that moment enters within the holiest, to ask on your behalf strength, consolation, and upholding grace. And when sin has wounded, and guilt distresses, and unbelief beclouds, who is it that stands in the breach, that makes intercession, that removes the darkness, and brings back the smile of a forgiving Father? The Lord Jesus, the interceding Savior! Oh, look up, tried and assaulted believer! you have a Friend at court, an Advocate in the chancery of heaven, an Intercessor curtained within the holiest of holies, transacting all your concerns, and through whom you may have access to God with boldness.
How sweet are the fruits of the Lord's restoring grace! In the case of Peter, we read that "he went out and wept bitterly." He had never wept such tears, nor sorrowed with such a sorrow before. It was the look of the Savior's forgiving love which broke his heart, and dissolved his whole soul into penitence and sweet contrition. We trace the same in David: "I acknowledge my transgression, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only have I sinned, and done this evil in your sight. Restore unto me the joy of your salvation; and uphold me with your free Spirit. Then will I teach transgressors your ways; and sinners shall be converted unto you." Blessed and holy results of the Savior's intercession in behalf of tried, and tempted, and staggering faith! May we, dear reader, constantly taste the sweetness of the Lord's restorings. That restoring we need day by day, and His upholding grace moment by moment. Let no consciousness of departure from God keep us from returning to Him- seeing that Jesus lives and prays for us.
Heart-melting is the language of our sin-pardoning and soul-restoring God to His backsliding Church. "You have played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to Me, says the Lord." And again, "And I said, after she had done all these things, Turn unto me." And yet again, as if he would exhaust all the tenderness of language, "Return, backsliding Israel, says the Lord; and I will not cause My anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, says the Lord, and I will not keep anger forever. Only acknowledge your iniquity." Can we resist arguments, and appeals, and persuasives like these? And oh, may the result of our restoring be a closer, holier walk than ever! "The Lord will speak peace to his people, but let them not turn again to folly."
Jesus, let Your pitying eye
Call back a wandering sheep;
False to You, like Peter, I
Would sincerely like Peter weep.
Let me be by grace restored,
On me be all its freeness shown;
Turn, and look upon me, Lord,
And break my heart of stone."
"Savior, Prince, enthroned above,
Repentance to impart;
Give me, through Your dying love,
The humble, contrite heart.
Give, what I have long implored,
A portion of Your love unknown;
Turn, and look upon me, Lord,
And break my heart of stone."
"See me, Savior, from above,
Nor suffer me to die;
Life, and happiness, and love,
Smile in Your gracious eye.
Speak the reconciling word,
And let Your mercy melt me down;
Turn, and look upon me, Lord,
And break my heart of stone."
"Look, as when Your pitying eye
Was closed that we might live;
'Father (at the point to die
My Savior gasped), forgive!'
Surely with that dying word,
He turns, and looks, and cries, 'tis done!'
O my loving, bleeding Lord,
This breaks my heart of stone!"
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