Blog 10-Our Intercessors

Reading of the Koran can be so nebulous that those unfamiliar with the Bible can easily believe much of the complaints are against pagans. Since the names "Jesus," "Christian," or even "People of the Book" is used much less than the generic "Unbeliever," it is easy to ignore what is obvious to those who do know it. While the term "partners" could be passed off as referring to true polytheists, the term"intercessor" cannot be. For this reason, I have chosen to address the teaching about the role of an intercessor in the Bible.

Sometimes it is used in both Old and New Testaments to instruct us to pray for others, interceding at times they may not have the strength or right relationship to do so for themselvs. That is a worthy study in and of itself, but that is not what the Koran is speaking of, nor is it the most important use in the Bible.

The Koran is refuting claims of those who say they will not be condemened to Hell, because they have an intercessor in Heaven who will draw the mercy of the Almighty over them. They will be covered from His wrath, and from the just punishiment of their sins.
Our brothers would have pulled out their Bibles, or scrolls, or repeated from memory the Scripture verses to back them up. The book of Hebrews goes into much detail, chapter after chapter explaining why "He ever liveth to make intercession for us." See Hebrews excerpts about Jesus' role as our High Priest/Intercessor.

After He offered Himself (the offering of His Blood in the true Holy of Holies), the sin offering being accepted once for all, not needing to continue offering a sacrifice for our sins before the Father, since His work was done, He sat down at the right hand of the Father. This is where Jesus is today, where He was 1400 years ago-at the Father's side interceding for us. As a go-between before the Holy God who must punish sin and injustice, and frail humanity much in need of mercy, He defends us. He says to the Father, "yes that is sin, you are right. It is evil. It deserves the completeness of Your justice." He doesn't just wink at it, and say, "Well, men will be men, give them a break." He says, "They have called on My Name, that My Death would substitute for their spiritual death. Having asked for Mercy, I sprinkle my blood over their sins." (In actuality, He died for all mankind, but it only avails if they ask for it. He doesn't force Himself on others.)

Here is what happens. The smell of my sin evaporates. The sin itself is forgiven and forgotten. The Father sees the purity of the Son when He looks at me. That allows for my heavenly salvation. But there is more.
The Father already knows the weakness of men. How could He not? He's observed them since Adam's fall.The Old Testament says He remembers we are but dust. And it was the Father's good pleasure to send Jesus, His own plan-not something Jesus talked Him into.)

But Jesus, having been man, has been tempted as we are. He knows the shininess of things. He knows the betrayal of friends. He knows the harshness of the accusations and plots of enemies. He knows the desire to get even, or to want to defend yourself. He has been tempted-yet He did not fail, did not acquiesce to weakness, to bitterness, to hatred. He was tempted, but lived without ever sinning. Who better could speak to the "Immortal, Invisible, only wise God" to explain our needs? To tell Him what we need in order to overcome, to plead for mercy, for patience?

When He forgives me, a new thing happens. As far as the east is from the west (infinite), so far does the Father remove our sins from us. He sees me clean and spotless, the person He created. And a new life begins in me, to make a new creation of me. Let us not look at me, but at His work as it continues.

He sends the Holy Spirit to live in me. He is to teach me of Jesus' ways, direct me into truth, and equip me-giving me power to obey what is asked. He also prays for me-even in my groanings because the Father knows the mind of the Holy Spirit. When I do not know what to say-for lack of wisdom about what to pray for, or no matter what my need, He will speak to the Father for me.
What Jesus does in the Heavenlies, the Holy Spirit does from inside me, on earth. That is, they intercede for us. This is why we are told not to quench the Holy Spirit. And to keep our bodies holy-knowing they are the temples of the Holy Spirit.(This is very encouraging, as we have a three-fold chain of prayers about our needs-our own, Jesus', and that of the Holy Spirit. Throw that in with the love of the Father who already wants to provide for us, and possibly the prayers of other believers, and we should be afraid of nothing.)

This secondary intercessor is only available as I have already received the work of the first-Jesus. The Holy Spirit is also called the earnest (down payment) of our inheritance-the communication God gives that we may know what we have believed is true. (We don't have to wait until we're dead, and cry "oops," if we're wrong.) Our Scripture says He (Holy Spirit) seals us, closes us up, to protect us. And as in Roman rings with seals of wax, it stamps His Authority and proof of ownership upon us. Just as the Resurrection is God's proof of the efficacy (effectiveness) of Jesus' death for all mankind, receiving the Holy Spirit is our individual proof that God has accepted it for me.

Hopefully, this explains why the Koran says "and no one can take the punishment of another," in addition to denouncing intercessors not approved of by Islam. It is responding to the claims of Christians. The myriad number of times the verses denounce those who claim to have intercessors, is because Mohammed is addressing Christians. They are sure of their salvation and will not be moved. So every time you see arguements against intercessors or partners who intercede, please remember whose theology that reflects.