We've been going through an old list of questions and answers contained

in the Westminster Larger Catechism published in 1648. In particular

we've been looking at how Christ was exalted by sitting in God's

presence – known as his session. We've seen that Christ's session at

God's right hand exalts him as it means Jesus has all favour from God,

fullness of joy and power over all things. This week I want to show you

that Christ should be exalted because he is at God's right hand making

intercession

If you are able to sit in the presence of someone important you should

be exalted. But how much more should you be exalted if you take that

time to intercede on behalf of others. For example, imagine you had been

given time with the Prime Minister of Australia and he was willing to

listen to you and maybe grant some of your requests. Now you could speak

about your own needs and hopefully get some help with them. Or you could

choose to talk about some of the needs of people who have much greater

problems than you do. If you did the former, that would be fine. But if

you did the latter and spoke about the needs of others, quite a few

people would want to honour you – particularly those you tried to help!

Now that is what Jesus has done. Jesus has been exalted to God's right

hand which means he has complete access to God the Father. And the Bible

tells us that,while he is there, Jesus makes requests for us: 'Christ

Jesus, who died–more than that, who was raised to life–is at the right

hand of God and is also interceding for us' (Romans 8:34).

What is Jesus interceding about? The verse before tells us that Jesus is

answering charges against us. See the verses together: 'Who will bring

any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.

Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died–more than that, who was

raised to life–is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for

us' (Romans 8:33-34). Satan is the great accuser but whenever he brings

a charge against us it is dismissed because God is the one who justifies

and God has Christ right there ready to intercede on our behalf.

What does this mean? Paul tells us in the next verses that we have

nothing to fear: 'For I am convinced that neither death nor life,

neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any

powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation,

will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus

our Lord' (Romans 8:38-39). If Christ is at God's right hand interceding

for you, then you will never be separated from God's love – what

marvelous news!

Thus Jesus deserves our exaltation. Not only is he at God's right hand,

but Jesus is interceding for us while he is there!

But how do you have Jesus intercede to God on your behalf? If you trust

that Jesus died for you then he intercedes to God for you by presenting

his life as a sacrifice for your sins. You are allowed to go free.

So have you trusted that Jesus died for your sins and now lives at God's

right hand to intercede for you? Do you exalt him accordingly?

Joel Radford.