Christ's Prayer for His Beloved
David Wilkerson emphasizes the significance of Jesus as our High Priest who intercedes for us through His prayers, which are vital for our salvation.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the role of Jesus as our High Priest, who intercedes for us before God the Father. He explains that Christ ascended to heaven not for His own glory, but to represent us, appearing in the presence of God on our behalf. The sermon highlights the significance of Jesus' prayers, which continue to rise before God like incense, symbolizing His ongoing intercession for believers. Wilkerson reassures that Jesus prayed for all who would believe in Him, affirming that our salvation is rooted in His prayers. This powerful truth reminds us of the intimate connection we have with Christ and the assurance of His love and advocacy.
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God the Father appointed his Son Jesus to become a high priest for us in glory. Indeed, Jesus is in glory right now -- as both Man and God -- on our behalf. He is arrayed in the garments of a high priest and stands before the Father interceding for us.
No doubt the Father takes great pleasure in having his Son at his right hand, but the Bible does not say Jesus ascended for the sake of his Father. Nor does it say he ascended to regain his glory. No, Scripture says Christ ascended to heaven on our behalf as a high priest. "Christ ... entered ... into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us" (Hebrews 9:24).
John caught a glimpse of Jesus in his ministry as our High Priest in glory. He writes that Jesus appeared in the midst of seven candlesticks, representing his church, and ministered among them wearing a particular garb: "Clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band" (Revelation 1:13).
Exodus 30 gives us a wonderful picture of the ministry of the tabernacle and the high priest. An altar made of gold stood just before the entrance to the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle. Incense was placed on the altar and burned at all times. Aaron, the high priest, took care of the lamps and wicks every morning and every night. Throughout all of Israel's wilderness journeys, the golden altar filled the Holy Place with a cloud of sweet incense and the fragrance was constantly rising to heaven (see Exodus 30:7-8).
In the Bible, incense represents prayer and the ever-burning incense on that altar in the Holy Place represents the prayers of Jesus while he was on earth. Jesus prayed constantly -- in the morning and evening, in solitude, in the mountains. John 17 is all about Jesus' prayer for his disciples and his people who followed him and believed in him, yet he also prayed for those "who will believe in Me" (17:20). What a powerful truth--Jesus' words include you and me. He was praying for us even when he walked this earth in the flesh.
Beloved, this prayer that Jesus prayed for us did not vanish into thin air. It has been burning on God's altar all this time and God accepts his Son's prayers for each of us. Our conversion, our salvation, is the result of Jesus' prayers. Hallelujah!
Sermon Outline
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I
- Jesus as our High Priest
- His intercession on our behalf
- The significance of His ascension
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II
- The imagery of the high priest in Revelation
- Jesus' ministry among His church
- The symbolism of His garments
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III
- The role of incense in the tabernacle
- Incense as a representation of prayer
- The continuous nature of prayer in Jesus' life
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IV
- Jesus' prayer for His disciples
- The inclusion of future believers
- The enduring impact of His prayers
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V
- The acceptance of Jesus' prayers by God
- The connection between prayer and salvation
- The assurance we have in Christ's intercession
Key Quotes
“Christ ... entered ... into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.” — David Wilkerson
“What a powerful truth--Jesus' words include you and me.” — David Wilkerson
“Our conversion, our salvation, is the result of Jesus' prayers.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- Recognize the importance of Jesus' intercession in your daily life and faith.
- Engage in prayer, knowing that Jesus continually prays for you.
- Find assurance in the fact that your salvation is rooted in Christ's prayers.