Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us
Romans 8:34
At various points in the Bible we get something of a snapshot of the risen and ascended Christ. Jesus’ life in and around Israel two thousand years ago is well documented in the gospels, but if we believe that he was (and is) divine then he must still exist. Of course, that is what is demonstrated by the Ascension. Jesus did not rise at Easter only to die again later. This was no resuscitation, but rather a demonstration that death could not hold Jesus in its cold grip. After all, he is “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). He has “life in himself” (John 5:26), and he can “give life to whom he will (John 5:21).
So if this source of life was not extinguished by the cross, and burst forth at Easter, what is Jesus doing now?
The somewhat surprising, and comforting, answer is “interceding for us” (Romans 8:34). Jesus prays for those who follow him, those who place their trust in him. This trust is repaid a hundred times over as Jesus himself prays on our behalf.
Just think about that for a moment. Ponder. “Christ Jesus … is interceding for us”. I often have people ask me to pray for them, and as your friendly neighbourhood Rector I am delighted to do so. But how much better to have Jesus himself pray for you! To have your name uttered by his divine lips!
Here is the great privilege of faith. As we place our trust, faith and future in Christ’s hands he prays for us.
