Have you ever needed an advocate? Jesus is our advocate. The word “advocate” means one who pleads the cause of another. Specifically, one who pleads the cause of another before a tribunal or judicial court.[1]
An Example of an Advocate
During the Civil war a Union soldier had lost his father and brother and needed to return to the farm for spring planting. He decided he would visit President Lincoln, but as he entered the White House, he was told the president was too busy to be bothered. While sitting on a park bench nearby a little boy came by and asked him why he was so sad. The young man told him his story.
The little boy took the soldier by the hand and led him around to the back of the White House. They went through the back door, past the guards, past all the generals and the high-ranking government officials until they got to the president’s office itself. The little boy didn’t even knock on the door but just opened it and walked in.
There was President Lincoln with his secretary of state, looking over battle plans on the desk. President Lincoln looked up and said, ‘What can I do for you, Todd?’
And Todd said, ‘Daddy, this soldier needs to talk to you.’ And right then and there the soldier had a chance to plead his case to President Lincoln, and he was exempted from military service due to the hardship he was under.[2]
The Lord was David’s Advocate
Saul was pursuing David because he was jealous of his success and he wanted to kill him. Although David had an opportunity to kill Saul he did not because he knew that was not right and it would not please the Lord. Instead, David granted Saul mercy.
David then speaks to Saul telling him the Lord is his advocate and defender. 1 Samuel 24:15 May the Lord therefore judge which of us is right and punish the guilty one. He is my advocate, and he will rescue me from your power!” [3]
Jesus is our Advocate
John the Apostle tells how Jesus is our advocate. 1 John 2:1My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. 2 He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world. [4]
Each of us has broken God’s holy law and we stand guilty and condemned. But God loved us so much that He provided an advocate for us. Jesus, our advocate, is not swayed by personal interests. He is righteous and blameless and has made us right with the Judge of the universe.
Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we are now credited with His righteousness before God. Jesus will ceaselessly continue to advocate for us. When you stumble, take comfort in your advocate, the Lord Jesus, and in His mercy that never fails. Romans 8:34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.[5]
Prayer
Jesus, our advocate before the Father, help us in gratitude and in humility to bend to Your will today. Help us to honor You in a world that needs to receive Your grace. Amen.[6]
To hear more about how Jesus is our advocate, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/faith-makes-a-difference-david
[1] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/advocate
[2] https://thepastorsworkshop.com/sermon-illustrations-on-being-an-advocate/
[3-5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.