Intercession of Christ

Pastor Martin opens the question of agency in progressive sanctification by warning against two opposite errors: sanctification by naked human effort (which drifts into legalism, asceticism, and self-righteousness) and sanctification by the negation of human effort (Keswick/higher life, 'let go and let God,' leading to subjectivism and antinomianism). He then unfolds the first half of the biblical answer: the triune God is an active agent — the Father sanctifies through pruning and preserving (John 17, John 15, 1 Thessalonians 5, Hebrews 13), the Son by his indwelling, advocacy, and intercession (Philippians 1, Colossians 2, 1 John 2, Hebrews 7), and the Spirit by peculiarly taking the lead in mortification and Christlike fruit (Romans 8, Galatians 5, 2 Corinthians 3). Glory belongs to God alone.

Pastor Martin begins an in-depth treatment of Christ's priestly office, explaining that he departs from the traditional prophet-priest-king order because Scripture gives predominance to the priesthood and because the priestly office casts its shadow over the prophetic and kingly functions. He establishes the reality of Christ's priestly office two ways: Christ is specifically called a priest, and His work is described in strict priestly categories. He then unfolds the four essential ingredients of priestly function from Hebrews 5:1: taken from men, appointed for men, in things pertaining to God, to offer for sins.

Pastor Martin turns from Christ's earthly priestly work to examine His continuous heavenly ministry of intercession. He establishes the fact from Hebrews 7:25, Romans 8:34, and Isaiah 53:12, then explains the nature of intercession both by the word used (interposing between two parties with requests) and by the end secured (salvation to the uttermost). He applies the doctrine to show that Christ has the preeminence in every phase of our salvation and that all dealings with the Father must be through the interceding Son.

Pastor Martin examines three biblical examples of Christ's intercession. In John 17 he unfolds Christ's four-fold concern for His people: preservation, sanctification, unification, and glorification. In Luke 22:31-32 he shows Christ praying that Peter's faith would not fail, demonstrating that the continued existence of grace in the believer is a standing miracle secured by Christ's intercession. In John 14:16 he shows Christ praying the Father to send the Spirit, teaching that every redemptive blessing comes through the living mediatorial work of the high priest.