7. A HEART THAT INTERCEDES

7. A HEART THAT INTERCEDES

Hebrews 7:22-25 states that the intercession of our Great High Priest is superior to Aaron’s because –

1. Christ “is able.” The original Greek word translated “able” in this verse refers to a unique kind of power. Two Greek words are often translated as “power.” “Ischus” represents the fact that power exists. “Dunamai” represents the demonstration of that power. Christ not only has the power but also uses the power.

Romans 4:20-21 – God has the power and He demonstrates it on our behalf.

Daniel 3:13-18 – if God chooses not to deliver because of something we cannot understand this side of glory; we will still not bow down to your gods. We will go down knowing that one day we will understand.

Sometimes faith can be defined knowing God can, whether or not He does. Never let any circumstances; the way He has responded to prayer in the past, for eternal reasons, and His ways that are beyond our ways; never let that convince you God is not able. He is indeed able. We know beyond the shadow of a doubt that our God can deliver us. If He does not, there has got to be something far beyond what we can comprehend. Our definition of faith is knowing He always can, and knowing He always could; whether or not He does it in that moment or circumstance. Christ has the dynamite to do it, and He is ready to use it.

2. Christ “is able also to save.” The word “saved” is translated from the Greek word “sozo.” In essence, it can be salvation from anything at any time.

There is nothing Christ cannot save you from.

Psalm 119:94 – we belong to God. Remind Him of that in prayer. He helps you to remember that He can save you.

3. Christ “is able also to save them to the uttermost.” The word “uttermost” is translated from the Greek word “panteles.” It means any and all to the absolute end.

It is Christ’s determination, His covenant, and His hand grasps tight, and He is fully capable of hanging on to you; any and all of you. There is room enough in His hand to the absolute end until He has brought us safely home, and we cannot even get out of His midst.

4. Christ “is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him.” The word “come” is translated from the Greek word “proserchomai,” which means to draw near to God in prayer, sacrifice, worship, and devotion.

Christ is apt to trust more of His dynamite (dunamai) to those who are drawing near to Him. His dunamai, the riches of the power of the heavenlies, is best entrusted to people who are seeking Him, than people who are going to be vessels of that for a few minutes; turn around, turn their back on Him, and walk away. There is a suggestion of obedience in this verse.

5. Christ “is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth.” Two words for living were often used in the original Greek. “Bios” refers to being physically alive. “Zao” is the word used in this reference and in Christ’s reference to Himself as the Living Water. It is not just being alive but really living.

Christ is living to intervene in our lives, to show power on our behalf; it is what He is living to do – to intervene in our lives with the power of the heavenlies. It is continuous and repetitive action in the Greek.

6. Christ “is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.” The word “intercession” is derived from the Greek word “enteuxis,” which means to interpolate with familiarity and freedom of access, to interrupt another while speaking.

John 14:13 – ask (aiteo, Greek) means “to ask, request, to beg.” This kind of asking is dependent on the mercy of the one being asked.

John 14:15-17 – ask (erotao, Greek) – “this word provides the most delicate and tender expression of prayer or request, with the one asking, and the one being asked on equal level.”

We have a Great High Priest, and Intercessor. Christ tenders the heart of the Father, and asks Him as an equal, and that’s when they do business.

Acts 12:1-5 – the Church was earnestly praying to God for Peter. We must always stay our circumstances with two words “But Prayer.” Prayer can change your circumstances.

Acts 12:6-12 – Peter did not know that it was real until it was over.

Acts 12:13-18 – The church was praying with all of their heart (aieto kind of praying). Christ comes along, while their prayers are going up to the throne, and interrupts them while they are speaking (erotao kind of praying). While they were speaking, Christ interrupted them, and inserted His own words.

This is the picture of our great intercessor. He is just anxious to jump in the middle of our prayer life, and change it on the way up to be something that really does add power to your life.

Acts 12:5 – “earnestly praying” - God still honors the fact that when His child is at its wits end, and we bring Him our “Earnest,” he adds content to our intent. He takes that intent and the sincerity of our heart, jumps right in the middle of it, and adds content to our intent.

It maybe the power to give you exactly what you asked for; or it is the power to sustain when you do not receive exactly what you asked for. Upon your invitation, you will always receive power.