What Does It Mean That Jesus Is Our Advocate?
What does it mean that Jesus is our advocate?
Nothing is written in the Bible by accident. There is a purpose to every word in the Word of God. Yet, tradition often speaks loudly and we tend to believe what we have been taught rather than what the Word says.
A perfect example of this is found in 1 John 2:1 which says, “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”
Some Christians believe that if they sin and don’t ask forgiveness in ‘time’ they may be too late to receive God’s forgiveness. The keyword in this verse is “sin.” It does not say if anyone repents they have an advocate with the Father.
Jesus Is Our Advocate
Jesus is our advocate when we sin and we sin every day. None of us is without sin. But we do not have to fret that we may miss our eternal reward because there may be sin in our life.
An advocate speaks, pleads, or argues in favor of another; someone who pleads the case before the court.
Jesus understands the intricacies of the Father’s legal system and He satisfied the demands of justice. As our advocate, Jesus speaks from a position of strength and righteousness.
God accepts Jesus as our advocate as part of the agreement established before the foundations of the world were laid.
Not Guilty
As our advocate, Jesus pleads our case with the Righteous Judge. Try to imagine the conversation between Jesus and the Father. “Father, I know Carol has sinned and is in violation of the Word. She is guilty as charged. However,
You have said that My sacrifice is sufficient payment for the debt she owes. My righteousness was applied to her account when she trusted in Me for salvation and forgiveness. I have paid the price for her so she can be pronounced NOT GUILTY. There is no debt she has to pay.”
As our advocate, Jesus pleads our case with the Righteous Judge.
Jesus paid the price and has atoned for our sins. Old Testament law is still practiced by Jews who observe the Day of Atonement. It is a day set aside to make atonement for one’s sins.
BUT….for believers, this feast points to Jesus and what HE DID for us. Because of His sacrifice, all of our sins have already been atoned for – it is NOT something we can do.
Christ's Ultimate Sacrifice
The Old Testament priests had two daily sacrifices; one at 9 A.M.and one at 3 P.M. History tells us that Jesus was crucified at 9 A.M. and died at 3 P.M. fulfilling both the morning and the evening sacrifices.
At the time of the evening sacrifice, all of God’s judgment had fallen on the body of Jesus and the flood of God’s judgment ended with Christ’s ultimate sacrifice.
The enemy wants nothing more than to deceive you into believing you have to WORK for your righteousness – constantly making you feel inadequate or, worse yet, disqualified. He wants you to believe that what Christ did for you was not enough.
You have to do something as well.
No Enmity Between You And God
There is no enmity between you and God because judgment has been passed. No one is perfect but we can have peace knowing that our sins have already been judged and the price has been paid.
Our righteousness is a gift received by FAITH and the blood of Jesus which qualifies you. God’s Word, His power, and His protection over you are far greater than anything the enemy can throw at you.
Make 1 John 2:1 part of your prayer life by making it a prayer of thanksgiving. "Heavenly Father, I thank You that the price for my sins has been paid. I thank You for giving me the peace and assurance that I am righteous before You and I am forgiven not because of anything I did or did not do but because Your Son Jesus sacrificed His life for me. He paid the price and is my advocate for eternity.”