The Jesus Bible Reading PlanSample

PERFECT INTERCESSION

Moses interceded before God on behalf of the people in a priestly prayer, asking him to relent from destroying the nation based on three factors. First, God had just delivered the nation of Israel from Egypt, and he could not abandon them now. Second, Pharaoh would learn of the destruction of the nation and believe that Egypt had, in fact, been victorious and that God’s plan was to bring them out of Egypt in order to kill them. Third, God had promised to uphold his covenant to his people, and he could not turn back on his promises. Moses’ prayer demonstrated his understanding of the severity of the sin of the people, his knowledge of the glory of the Lord and his zeal for his people.

Jesus’ intercessory prayer in the garden on the night he was betrayed follows this same pattern (Jn 17). Knowing the reality of life in a fallen world, he asked God to guard his people, protect them from the enemy, demonstrate his love to them and transform them by means of his Word. The author of Hebrews stated that Jesus, as the sinless intercessor and Son of God, has been resurrected and has ascended to the right hand of the Father so he can plead for the needs of his people (Heb 7:23 – 25).

Jesus, it is so humbling to think that as you faced crucifixion, you made time to pray for me. Thank you for interceding on my behalf. Amen.