#95 “Great Intercessors of the Bible”

(Jesus Christ – Anointed Savior) Pt2

“This is why the Father loves me: because I freely

lay down my life. And so I am free to take it up again.

No one takes it from me. I lay it down of my own free will."

(John 10:17-18)

Message Bible (MSG)

One of the greatest qualities of an intercessor is the ability to look beyond their own lives, pain or suffering and see the needs of others. I’m reminded of the song verse which says, “He looked beyond my faults and saw my needs.” As intercessors being able to step out of self and perform a selfless act of interceding on behalf of someone else is paramount; undoubtedly, I know of no one who has ever achieved this but Jesus Christ. Pressing beyond His on pain, suffering, rejection and shame to intercede for others, it’s what we all should be striving for as intercessors. Oh it’s easy to do it when all is going well but what about, when all hell breaks loose in and around your life; how easy is it to maintain the selfless action of intercession?

The apostle Paul said it like this: “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.” (Philippians 3:13-15) I must say this is one of life’s greatest challenges even for me; to continue to press in spite of the obstacles placed in your path. I would not dare lead you to believe that I myself have mastered this area of my prayer life, but yet I still press.

There are countless times, which are documented in the bible were Jesus stepped out of Himself and interceded for others, even though He Himself was facing the impending agony of death. Jesus know His life’s purpose was to become the ransom for man sins; yet He never focused on the shadow of the cross, which stretch out ahead of Him; but instead, He cast His focus on the multitude of sick, dying and hungry souls encompassing Him as He journeyed. Now let’s take a look at some of those people Jesus encountered:

1. A woman who had been hemorrhaging for twelve years —“Jesus insisted, “Someone touched me. I felt power discharging from me.” When the woman realized that she couldn’t remain hidden, she knelt trembling before him. In front of all the people, she blurted out her story—why she touched Him and how at that same moment she was healed. Jesus said, “Daughter, you took a risk trusting me, and now you’re healed and whole. Live well, live blessed!” (Luke 8:45-48) While on His way to the cross he took time to heal the woman with a bleeding condition that no medical doctor could heal. Her faith in Him as the Messiah drew her to the hem of His garment and there she was healed made whole.

2. Jairus’ 12 year old daughter raised from the dead —“But when he had sent them all out, he took the child’s father and mother, along with his companions, and entered the child’s room. He clasped the girl’s hand and said, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, get up.” At that, she was up and walking around!” (Mark 5:21-43) Jesus raised Jairus' daughter inspite of the unbelief of the mourners who mocked Him when He told them she was not dead only asleep, and He had come to awaken her. How many of us have fallen asleep and are in need of Jesus to come take us by the hands call us by name and say, "Get up!"

3. A women caught in adultery about to be stoned to death — “The religion scholars and Pharisees led in a woman who had been caught in an act of adultery. They stood her in plain sight of everyone and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught red-handed in the act of adultery. Moses, in the Law, gives orders to stone such persons. What do you say?” They were trying to trap him into saying something incriminating so they could bring charges against him.

Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt. They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, “The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone.” Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt. Hearing that, they walked away, one after another, beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone. Jesus stood up and spoke to her. “Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you?” “No one, Master,” “Neither do I,” said Jesus. “Go on your way. From now on, don’t sin.” (John 8:3-11)

Although He was willing to die, He was not willing to see others die in their sins not even this woman caught in the sin of adultery. Woman where are your accusers? Their gone, then neither do I accuse you…go and sin no more. The forgiveness of sin, what a powerful weapon against the devil; we too like Jesus have the power to forgive sins. “Then He took a deep breath and breathed into them, “Receive the Holy Spirit,” he said. “If you forgive someone’s sins, they’re gone for good. If you don’t forgive sins, what are you going to do with them?” (John 20:23)

4. Roman Soldiers forgiven who were crucifying Him—“When they got to the place called Skull Hill, they crucified him, along with the criminals, one on his right, and the other on his left. Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them; they don’t know what they’re doing.” (Luke 23:39-43) When is the last or first time you’ve ever forgave someone while you were being persecuted, wrongfully judged, rejected, beaten and spat upon? Never? Neither, have I but thank God, we may never have to; because, of Jesus’ redemptive work of the cross.

5. The Second Thief on the cross forgiven and promised he’d be in paradise—“One of the criminals hanging alongside cursed him: “Some Messiah you are! Save yourself! Save us!” But the other one made him shut up: “Have you no fear of God? You’re getting the same as him. We deserve this, but not him—he did nothing to deserve this.”Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you enter your kingdom.” He said, “Don’t worry, I will. Today you will join me in paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43) This man did not know who Jesus was and there is no records which indicate that He had ever seen or interacted with Jesus before that day. No doubt just like many others He could see He was not guilty and did not deserve to die. Watching the persecution of Jesus did not make him pity Jesus but believe on Him; that He was in fact who they said He was…"The King of the Jews” “The Messiah” then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you enter your Kingdom’. Jesus said, “Don’t worry, I will. Today you will join me in paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43)

In our humanity we may find it very difficult to step out of our circumstance, out of our own suffering and pain long enough to consider someone else’ suffering and seek to ease their pain. The Apostle Paul said, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” Let us daily strive to continue to follow Christ Jesus, even is we stumble, fall or slow down, don’t quite; “There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in us would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears” (Philippians 1:6) We need only continue to trust Him and believe what His word tells us, in this we cannot go wrong.

My Prayer: Ahh Heavenly Father, it is You who has begun this great work of righteousness within us and I’m confident that no matter what it looks like, what it feels like, or what the enemy tries to tell us You will complete the work of Your hands in each of us. Forgive us for those times when we have grown weary in the fight and may have even laid down or sword and shields. But we will not quit we will pick them back up again and continue to war in the spirit and pray Your will into this earth. Thank you Father for Your restoring work being wrought within us…in Jesus’ name we pray Amen!!!
Have A Bless Day…Go in God’s Peace!

Follow this link to "Morning by Morning" http://prayin4you.blogspot.com

Sign up to receive the daily post Via Email

I hope you will Join to become a member of

Morning by Morning