January 10

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. — 1 John 2:1 BSB

This advocacy is referred to as “pleading the cause” of the believer, and it is connected with deliverance, for such an advocate cannot fail—“O Lord, you have pleaded the cause of my soul; you have redeemed my life” (Lamentations 3:58). The metaphor is taken from a lawyer pleading the case of a criminal, doing everything possible to secure their acquittal. But such an advocate might fail for two reasons:

1. The advocate might be incompetent, or
2. The case might be too bad to defend.

However, neither of these hindrances applies to Christ’s advocacy. He can plead His own sufferings, blood, and obedience. His very identity as the Son of God and Son of Man gives immense value and weight to every plea He makes as our Intercessor. How powerful, then, is His intercession in the courts of heaven! He cannot deny the truth of the accusations made by the accuser of the brethren against His client, but He can present His own meritorious sufferings and the sorrows He endured on their behalf. On this basis, He can stand as our surety and representative, pleading with the Father, saying, “Let them go, for I endured the penalty they deserved.”