Christ’s Intercession: Our Great High Priest Before the Father

In our ongoing journey through the Westminster Larger Catechism, we’ve been marveling at the glorious work of Christ in His exaltation. We began with His resurrection, that miracle of divine power that secured our justification and hope Christ’s Resurrection: A Miracle of Divine Power. We then explored His ascension, a triumphant return to the Father’s glory The Exaltation of Christ in His Ascension: A Glorious Triumph. Most recently, we considered His session at the right hand of God, where He rules as King over all creation The Exaltation of Christ: His Glorious Session at the Right Hand of God. Today, we turn to the 55th question of the Westminster Larger Catechism, which draws us into the comforting and awe-inspiring truth of Christ’s intercession for His people:

Q. 55. How doth Christ make intercession?

A. Christ maketh intercession, by his appearing in our nature continually before the Father in heaven, in the merit of his obedience and sacrifice on earth, declaring his will to have it applied to all believers; answering all accusations against them, and procuring for them quiet of conscience, notwithstanding daily failings, access with boldness to the throne of grace, and acceptance of their persons and services.

This question and answer unfold the precious doctrine of Christ’s priestly work, a ministry that continues even now in heaven. Today, let us consider how Christ’s intercession assures us of God’s love, silences our accusers, and empowers us to live boldly for His glory.

Christ’s Intercession: A Continual Priestly Ministry

The Catechism begins by grounding Christ’s intercession in His "Appearing in our nature continually before the Father in heaven." This is so profound: the Son of God, who took on human flesh, remains our Mediator in that same human nature. As we saw in our post on Christ’s ascension, His glorified body is now in heaven, yet He is still fully God and fully man. This union of natures equips Him perfectly to intercede for us. Hebrews 7:25 declares, “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.” Christ’s intercession is not a past event but an ongoing reality. He stands before the Father, representing us as our Great High Priest.This priestly role connects directly to His work on earth. The Catechism notes that Christ intercedes "In the merit of his obedience and sacrifice on earth." His perfect life of obedience and His atoning death on the cross form the unshakable foundation of His intercession. As we reflected in our post on Christ’s resurrection, His victory over death validated His sacrifice as acceptable to God. Now, in heaven, He pleads the merits of that finished work on our behalf. Romans 8:34 asks, “Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.”This is such a comforting thought. Our Savior’s intercession is not based on our worthiness but on His perfect work.

Declaring His Will for Believers

Christ’s intercession is not a passive but an active. The Catechism explains that He "Declares his will to have [His merit] applied to all believers." This points to Christ’s intentional advocacy for His people. In John 17, often called His high priestly prayer, Jesus prayed for those the Father had given Him, asking that they be kept, sanctified, and united (John 17:11–24). This prayer offers a glimpse into His intercessory work in heaven, where He continually wills that the benefits of His redemption, forgiveness, justification, sanctification, and glorification, be applied to all who trust in Him.This truth is especially encouraging when we consider our weakness. As believers, we often stumble, yet Christ’s intercession ensures that His saving work is never frustrated. He prays for us as He did for Peter, that our faith would not fail (Luke 22:32). This connects beautifully to our previous post on Christ’s session, where we saw Him reigning as King. As Priest, He intercedes; as King, He ensures His prayers are answered. What a Savior, who both pleads for us and possesses all authority to accomplish His will!

Answering All Accusations

One of the most comforting aspects of Christ’s intercession is that He "Answers all accusations against [believers]." Satan seeks to condemn us before God, pointing to our sins and failures. Our own consciences also accuse us, whispering that we are unworthy of God’s love. Yet Christ stands as our Advocate, silencing every charge. 1 John 2:1 assures us, “If anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”How does Christ answer these accusations? Not by denying our sin but by presenting His perfect righteousness and atoning sacrifice. As we noted in our post on Christ’s resurrection, His rising from the dead proved that God accepted His payment for our sins. When accusations come, Christ points to the cross, where justice was satisfied. Zechariah 3:1–4 gives us a vivid picture of this: Joshua the high priest stands before God in filthy garments, with Satan accusing him. Yet the Lord rebukes Satan, removes Joshua’s guilt, and clothes him in clean robes. This is what Christ does for us continually, ensuring that no accusation can stand.

Procuring Quiet of Conscience

The Catechism goes on to describe the fruits of Christ’s intercession, beginning with "Procuring for [believers] quiet of conscience, notwithstanding daily failings." This is a comfort for every Christian’s soul. We live in a world where guilt and shame can overwhelm us. Even as those justified by faith, we still sin daily, and our failures can rob us of peace. Yet Christ’s intercession secures "Quiet of conscience." Because He pleads for us, we can rest in God’s forgiveness.This truth echoes Romans 5:1, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Our peace is not rooted in our performance but in Christ’s priestly work. When we confess our sins, trusting in His advocacy, we experience the assurance that “he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). This quiet conscience frees us from despair and empowers us to press on in faith, even amid our weaknesses.

Access with Boldness to the Throne of Grace

Another fruit of Christ’s intercession is "Access with boldness to the throne of grace." Because Christ stands before the Father on our behalf, we can approach God without fear. Hebrews 4:16 invites us, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” This boldness is not presumption but a privilege purchased by Christ’s blood.In the Old Testament, only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies, and even then, with trembling and strict adherence to God’s commands. Now, through Christ’s intercession, every believer has direct access to God’s presence. We don’t come to God hesitantly, as if our acceptance depends on our goodness, but boldly, knowing that Christ has made us acceptable. As we discussed in our post on Christ’s ascension, His going to the Father prepared a place for us, and His intercession ensures we can draw near at any moment.

Acceptance of Our Persons and Services

Finally, Christ’s intercession secures the "Acceptance of [believers’] persons and services." Left to ourselves, our best efforts are tainted by sin. Isaiah 64:6 reminds us that even our righteous deeds are like filthy rags. Yet because Christ intercedes, God accepts both us and our imperfect service. Our prayers, worship, and acts of obedience are pleasing to God, not because they are flawless, but because they are offered through Christ.This is a truth to cherish. How often do we feel that our worship is inadequate or our service unworthy? Christ’s intercession assures us that God looks upon us with favor. Revelation 8:3–4 paints a beautiful picture: an angel offers incense with the prayers of the saints, and the smoke rises before God. Many see this as a symbol of Christ’s intercession, purifying and presenting our prayers to the Father. Because of Him, our feeble efforts are received with delight.

Living in Light of Christ’s Intercession

As we close, let us consider how this doctrine shapes our lives. First, it fills us with gratitude. Christ’s intercession is a constant reminder of His love, which never wavers, even when we falter. Second, it fuels our confidence. Knowing that Christ pleads for us, we can face trials, temptations, and accusations without fear. Third, it calls us to prayer. Since Christ has opened the way to the throne of grace, let us draw near often, casting our cares upon Him (1 Peter 5:7).In walking through the catechism, we’ve seen Christ’s exaltation in His resurrection, ascension, and session. Now, in His intercession, we behold Him as our compassionate High Priest, ever living to secure our salvation. May this truth anchor our souls and inspire us to live for His glory, trusting that He is always before the Father on our behalf.

Soli Deo Gloria