Jesus' Ongoing Intercession for Believers in Struggle

Jesus Christ's ongoing intercession for believers is a core tenet of Christian theology, rooted in his priestly office, which involves both his self-sacrifice and his continuous advocacy in heaven ^[8]. This intercession is particularly significant for believers who are experiencing struggle, offering comfort, support, and assurance of their perseverance.

The concept of Christ's intercession is presented in various biblical texts. While on earth, Jesus interceded for his followers, as seen in his prayer for Peter (Luke 22:31) and his broader prayer for all who would believe in him (John 17:20) ^{[8, 12, 13]}. John Gill notes that Christ prayed for all the apostles, but specifically for Peter because he was in the greatest danger ^[13]. Adam Clarke emphasizes that Jesus' prayer in John 17:20 extends through all ages to every soul that believes, asking for unity, peace, love, and eternal glory ^[12]. This earthly intercession foreshadows his ongoing heavenly role.

In his exalted state, Christ continues to exercise this priestly function in heaven, appearing in the presence of God on behalf of believers (Hebrews 9:12, 24) ^[8]. His advocacy with the Father is founded upon his perfect sacrifice, through which he pleads for and secures the fulfillment of God's promises to his people ^[8]. This ongoing intercession is a source of strength and comfort, especially during times of affliction and persecution.

Believers are frequently called to persevere through trials and difficulties. The Apostle Paul encourages believers to be "rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer" (Romans 12:12) ^[1]. Similarly, the book of Colossians urges believers to "continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving" (Colossians 4:2) ^[4]. The Revelation of John speaks of the "perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus" (Revelation 14:12) ^[3]. This perseverance is not achieved through human strength alone but is supported by divine intervention.

The struggles faced by believers can take many forms, including affliction and persecution. The Bible indicates that God is with the afflicted (Psalm 46:5, 7; Isaiah 43:2) and acts as a refuge and strength (Psalm 27:5, 6; Isaiah 25:4) ^[2]. He comforts the distressed (Isaiah 49:13; Matthew 5:4; 2 Corinthians 1:4, 5) and preserves and delivers them (Psalm 34:20; Proverbs 12:13) ^[2]. Christ himself is depicted as being with and supporting those who suffer (John 14:18; 2 Timothy 4:17; Hebrews 2:18) ^[2]. He comforts them (Isaiah 61:2; Matthew 11:28-30) and preserves them (Isaiah 63:9; Luke 21:18) ^[2]. The Tyndale House commentary on Revelation 3:10 notes that Jesus will protect Christians who persevere through trials, referencing passages like Isaiah 43:2-4 and John 10:27-28 ^[14].

Persecution is a specific form of struggle that believers are warned to expect (Mark 10:30; Luke 21:12; John 15:20) ^[5]. It is often suffered for God's sake (Jeremiah 15:15) and is considered a persecution of Christ himself (Zechariah 2:8; Acts 9:4, 5) ^[5]. The Apostle Paul states that "all that live godly in Christ, shall suffer" (2 Timothy 3:12) ^[5]. The origins of persecution are attributed to ignorance of God and Christ, hatred of God and Christ, hatred of the gospel, pride, and mistaken zeal ^[5]. In these intense struggles, Christ's intercession provides a crucial anchor.

The doctrine of the "perseverance of the saints" is closely related to Christ's intercession. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines it as the "certain continuance in a state of grace," asserting that once justified and regenerated, a believer cannot totally or finally fall away from grace but will certainly persevere and attain everlasting life ^[7]. This doctrine is supported by passages such as John 10:28-29, Romans 11:29, Philippians 1:6, and 1 Peter 1:5 ^[7]. It is also seen as a consequence of the immutability of divine decrees, the provisions of the covenant of grace, and Christ's atonement and intercession ^[7]. John Gill, commenting on Psalm 71:14, highlights the importance of hope during affliction, describing it as an anchor for the soul and an helmet in battle ^[15].

The long-suffering of God is also a factor in the believer's ability to endure struggle. God's long-suffering is part of his character (Exodus 34:6; Numbers 14:18) and its object is salvation (2 Peter 3:15) ^[10]. This divine patience is exercised through Christ's intercession (Luke 13:8) and should lead to repentance (Romans 2:4) ^[10].

Believers are encouraged to engage in persistent prayer, mirroring Christ's own example (Matthew 14:23; Mark 1:35; Luke 9:18, 29) ^[9]. The parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8) illustrates that believers can face trials and persevere through persistent prayer ^[11]. This human act of prayer is intertwined with Christ's divine intercession. Paul urges believers to join him in his struggle by praying to God for him (Romans 15:30), demonstrating the communal aspect of intercession ^[6].

Jesus' intercession is not merely a past event but an ongoing reality that undergirds the believer's ability to endure and overcome struggles. It assures them of God's continued presence, comfort, and ultimate protection, even in the face of intense adversity.

Sources

Romans “rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer; -- Romans 12:12”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflicted Saints — God is with -- Ps 46:5,7; Isa 43:2. God is a refuge and strength to -- Ps 27:5,6; Isa 25:4; Jer 16:19; Na 1:7. God comforts -- Isa 49:13; Jer 31:13; Mt 5:4; 2Co 1:4,5; 7:6. God preserves -- Ps 34:20. God delivers -- Ps 34:4,19; Pr 12:13; Jer 39:17,18. Christ is with -- Joh 14:18. Christ supports -- 2Ti 4:17; Heb 2:18. Christ comforts -- Isa 61:2; Mt 11:28-30; Lu 7:13; Joh 14:1; 16:33. Christ preserves -- Isa 63:9; Lu 21:18. Christ delivers -- Re 3:10. Should praise God -- Ps 13:5,6; 56:8-10; 57:6,7; 71:20-23. Should imitate Christ -- Heb 12:1-3; 1P”
Revelation of John “Revelation of John 14:12 (BSB) — Here is a call for the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.”
Colossians “Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving; -- Colossians 4:2”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Persecution — Christ suffered -- Ps 69:26; Joh 5:16. Christ voluntarily submitted to -- Isa 50:6. Christ was patient under -- Isa 53:7. Saints may expect -- Mr 10:30; Lu 21:12; Joh 15:20. Saints suffer, for the sake of God -- Jer 15:15. Of saints, is a persecution of Christ -- Zec 2:8; Ac 9:4,5. All that live godly in Christ, shall suffer -- 2Ti 3:12. Originates Ignorance of God and Christ. -- Joh 16:3. Hated to God and Christ. -- Joh 15:20,24. Hatred to the gospel. -- Mt 13:21. Pride. -- Ps 10:2. Mistaken zeal. -- Ac 13:50; 26:9-11. Is inconsistent with the spirit o”
Romans “Romans 15:30 (BSB) — Now I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Perseverance of the saints — Their certain continuance in a state of grace. Once justified and regenerated, the believer can neither totally nor finally fall away from grace, but will certainly persevere therein and attain everlasting life. This doctrine is clearly taught in these passages, John 10:28, 29; Rom. 11:29; Phil. 1:6; 1 Pet. 1:5. It, moreover, follows from a consideration of (1) the immutability of the divine decrees (Jer. 31:3; Matt. 24:22-24; Acts 13:48; Rom. 8:30); (2) the provisions of the covenant of grace (Jer. 32:40; John 10:29; 17:2-6); (3) the ato”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Intercession of Christ — Christ's priestly office consists of these two parts, (1) the offering up of himself as a sacrifice, and (2) making continual intercession for us. When on earth he made intercession for his people (Luke 23:34; John 17:20; Heb. 5:7); but now he exercises this function of his priesthood in heaven, where he is said to appear in the presence of God for us (Heb. 9:12, 24). His advocacy with the Father for his people rests on the basis of his own all-perfect sacrifice. Thus he pleads for and obtains the fulfilment of all the promises of the everlas”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer, Private — Christ was constant in -- Mt 14:23; 26:36,39; Mr 1:35; Lu 9:18,29. Commanded -- Mt 6:6. Should be offered At evening, morning, and noon. -- Ps 55:17. Day and night. -- Ps 88:1. Without ceasing. -- 1Th 5:17. Shall be heard -- Job 22:27. Rewarded openly -- Mt 6:6. An evidence of conversion -- Ac 9:11. Nothing should hinder -- Da 6:10. Exemplified Lot. -- Ge 19:20. Eliezer. -- Ge 24:12. Jacob. -- Ge 32:9-12. Gideon. -- Jdj 6:22,36,39. Hannah. -- 1Sa 1:10. David. -- 2Sa 7:18-29. Hezekiah. -- 2Ki 20:2. Isaiah. -- 2Ki 20:11. Manasseh. -- 2Ch 33:18,19. Ezr”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Long-Suffering of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ex 34:6; Nu 14:18; Ps 86:15. Salvation, the object of -- 2Pe 3:15. Through Christ's intercession -- Lu 13:8. Should lead to repentance -- Ro 2:4; 2Pe 3:9. An encouragement to repent -- Joe 2:13. Exhibited in forgiving sins -- Ro 3:25. Exercised toward His people. -- Isa 30:18; Eze 20:17. The wicked. -- Ro 9:22; 1Pe 3:20. Plead in prayer -- Jer 15:15. Limits set to -- Ge 6:3; Jer 44:22. The wicked Abuse. -- Ec 8:11; Mt 24:48,49. Despise. -- Ro 2:4. Punished for despising. -- Ne 9:30; Mt 24:48-51; Ro 2:5. Illustr”
Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 18:1: 18:1-8 The parable of the persistent widow follows naturally from Jesus’ teaching about coming troubles (17:20-37). Believers can face trials and persevere through persistent prayer.”
John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on John 17:20: III. Our Lord's Prayer for His Church, and for All Who Would Believe on His Name, Through the Preaching of the Apostles and Their Successor. Joh 17:20-26. See on Joh 17:1 (note). Neither pray I for these alone - This prayer extends itself through all ages, and takes in every soul that believes in the Lord Jesus. And what is it that Christ asks in behalf of his followers? The greatest of blessings: unity, peace, love, and eternal glory.”
Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 22:31: But I have prayed for thee,.... Christ prayed for all the apostles; but particularly for Peter, because he was in the greatest danger: whether the prayer Christ refers to was that in Joh 17:1 in which are many passages relating to the preservation, sanctification, final perseverance and glorification of the apostles, as well as of other saints, as in Joh 17:9 and so these words might be spoken a little after that prayer was ended, which was about this same time; or whether it was any other, and only mental, and not vocal, is not certain: however, the petition was, th”
Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 3:10: 3:10 Jesus will protect Christians who persevere through trials (cp. Isa 43:2-4; John 10:27-28; 1 Cor 10:13; Heb 6:18-19). • The great time of testing refers to the end times, when the world experiences tribulation.”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 71:14: But I will hope continually,.... For deliverance and salvation from present outward troubles, for; more grace here and glory hereafter: it is the excellency of the grace of hope to be exercised in times of affliction and distress, and with Abraham to believe in hope against hope; and then it is that this grace is eminently and remarkably useful: it is an anchor to the soul when in distress, which keeps it firm and steadfast; and an helmet, which covers the head in the day of battle; in the exercise of which the believer glories in tribulation: it is an abiding grace,”

Ask Your Own Question