“Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation” (Hebrews 9:11).
Just as the high priest ascended the stairs to the holy place on the Day of Atonement, our High Priest Jesus ascended into the heavenly tabernacle. Indeed, John describes seeing Jesus in his priestly robe: “Clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band” (Revelation 1:13).
Jesus ascended into glory as our High Priest to make intercession for us. He enjoys the glory he deserves but he also does a work on our behalf. The psalmist shares in Psalm 68: “You have ascended on high, You have led captivity captive; You have received gifts among men … Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation!” (Psalm 68:18-19). He is saying, “Our Savior has given us every gift and benefit we need to live in freedom!”
The writer of Hebrews reminds us that Jesus’ work in heaven is all for us: “For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us” (Hebrews 9:24). “He always lives to make intercession for [us]” (7:25). Christ does it all for us, his children.
What exactly does this phrase mean, “He lives to make intercession for us”? Some may imagine Jesus standing before the Father pleading with him to show us mercy when we fail. But Christ’s intercession for us has to do with Satan’s accusations against us. You see, the devil comes to God’s throne to accuse us of every failure and transgression, demanding “justice.” But Jesus immediately steps in, demanding that Satan keeps his hands off us.
Jesus also intercedes in our own hearts, reconciling us with the Father. He reminds us that we are forgiven and we can trust God’s faithfulness to provide us with all the power and strength we need.
Because of Christ’s intercession, you can say, “I may have battles in the flesh, but I know what Jesus did for me. Sin can no longer hold me because he is my High Priest.”