Jesus' Work Before the Throne
Jesus, our unchangeable High Priest, intercedes on our behalf and bestows upon us spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the eternal role of Jesus as our High Priest, who intercedes for us before the Father and confronts our accuser, the devil. He highlights that Jesus, seated at the right hand of God, has an unchangeable priesthood and offers us spiritual blessings far greater than the temporal blessings of the Old Testament. Wilkerson encourages believers to come to Jesus in faith, assuring them that He delights in blessing those who are weak, broken, or grieving. The sermon reminds us of the security we have in Christ, as He covers us with His blood and pays our debts. Ultimately, we are called to rejoice in the spiritual blessings bestowed upon us through our High Priest.
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The Bible tells us that when Christ ascended to heaven, he took up the ministry of High Priest to all who come to him by faith. "But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood" (Hebrews 7:24). Jesus is unchangeable -- the same yesterday, today and forever! As long as you live, he will be your High Priest in heaven, interceding on your behalf.
Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father, in the seat of authority: "We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens" (Hebrews 8:1). Our High Priest has all power and authority at his command.
Jesus is in the Father's presence right now, confronting our accuser, the devil: "I rebuke you, Satan! This one is mine because he is sprinkled in my blood. He is secure, his debt is fully paid, and he is set free!"
In the Old Testament it was the duty and privilege of the high priest to come forth from the Holy of Holies and bless the people. The Lord instructed Moses to tell Aaron and his sons, "This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them: 'The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace'" (Numbers 6:23-26).
The final act in the sequence of the high priest's ministry when he emerged from the Holy of Holies was to raise his hands and bless the people. And this is the unchanging ministry of our High Priest, by God's prescription. Jesus says, "I will cover you with my blood. I will intercede for you and I will come forth and bless you."
The blessings of the Old Testament high priest were temporal -- God's promises to bless crops, livestock, cities and all the people's activities. But the blessings Jesus bestows upon us are spiritual in nature: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3).
Rejoice, dear saint! If you are weak, broken, grief-stricken or mourning over your sin, you can rest assured--your High Priest is blessing you with all spiritual blessings. Come to Him in faith. He delights in blessing you!
Sermon Outline
- I. Jesus' Ministry as High Priest
- A. Unchangeable priesthood
- B. Seated at the right hand of the Father
- C. Interceding on our behalf
- II. Jesus' Authority and Power
- A. All power and authority at his command
- B. Confronting our accuser, the devil
- III. Jesus' Blessings
- A. Spiritual in nature
- B. Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ
- IV. The High Priest's Ministry
- A. Blessing the people
- B. Interceding for us and blessing us
Key Quotes
“Jesus is unchangeable -- the same yesterday, today and forever!” — David Wilkerson
“I rebuke you, Satan! This one is mine because he is sprinkled in my blood. He is secure, his debt is fully paid, and he is set free!” — David Wilkerson
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- We can trust in Jesus' unchangeable priesthood and His promise to bless us with all spiritual blessings.
- We can receive Jesus' blessings by coming to Him in faith and trusting in His promise to bless us.
- We can rejoice in Jesus' authority and power to confront our accuser, the devil, and secure our salvation.