Week 7: Ascension

He Roots For You

How was your week in prayer? Did prayer change any for you this week when you thought about Jesus constantly interceding for you to the Father?

It has been a nice perspective shift for me in my prayer life. I’m not sure what I thought Jesus might or might not be doing, but it definitely wasn’t working on my behalf. This quote from Dane Ortlund in his book Deeper grabbed my attention:

"We will grow in Christ only as we recognize the ally Jesus Christ is to us, now in heaven. He did not die and rise again on our behalf back then, only to stand now with arms crossed, seeing how we'll do in response. He continues to work on our behalf-he goes "to the uttermost" for us-advocating for us when no one else will, not even we ourselves. He is more committed to your growth in him than you are. Jesus intercedes.”

If I think about Jesus like an older brother at a high school athletic event, how do I see him? I often think of him ambivalently there. Dad told him he had to come, but he didn't really want to be there. He’s not necessarily disappointed in my performance but more just unconcerned. Ortlund points instead to an image of an older brother who’s excited to be there. He’s cheering me on. He’s already been there and done that, but still, he roots me on. He excitedly and proudly points me out to his friends.

The author of Hebrews uses this language in the passage today. The one who has perfectly finished the race before is now rooting you on! As you are being brought into the heavenly places with him, you are rooting the other Christians on as well. You are a part of the cloud of witnesses that cheer each other on.

As you pray to Jesus today, picture him cheering you on, rooting for you, and pointing proudly to your faithfulness. Also, pray specifically for others today that you want to cheer on. Pray that God will help them finish their race!