If Christ’s intercession is not sufficient for us, what can be added to it? If Christ has not granted to us access to the throne of grace, who can? Without Christ’s righteousness and merit, we dare not approach Him, but thanks be to God that Christ, our High Priest, continually makes intercession for us in our nature. 

As we think about the Protestant Reformation, one topic that I think about often is the intercession of Christ. Regarding this topic, the Westminster Larger Catechismstates the following:

Q. 55: How doeth Christ make intercession?

A: Christ maketh intercession, by His appearing in our nature continually before the Father in heaven, in the merit of His obedience and sacrifice on earth, declaring His will to have it applied to all believers; answering all accusations against them, and procuring for them quiet of conscience, notwithstanding daily failings, access with boldness to the throne of grace, and acceptance of their persons and services.

This is well-articulated statement that is theologically robust and profoundly comforting for the Christian. Although our Lord is so highly exalted in glory, yet He has not forgotten us. In the midst of our various temptations and trials, our risen Savior is our High Priest, and as our High Priest, He has all the names and needs of His people written upon His hands, as the modern hymn states. Although He is exalted to the highest place of honor in heaven, He is mindful of His saints on earth. As Thomas Watson states, “Christ, though in a glorified state – hears your sighs, and bottles your tears!”

However, in reading this statement, one is also mindful that this statement is a radical departure of the views held by the Roman Catholic Church. My first experience with Roman Catholics occurred in my early twenties when I lived in a small town named Brownsville, Texas, which is on the border of Texas and Mexico. In this town, there were a number of Mexican-Americans who grew up within the Roman Catholic Church. When we were discussing matters of our faith, we stumbled upon the topic of prayer.

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