Therefore will I divide him [a portion] with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Isaiah 53:12

 

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Hebrews 7:25

 

     Here we see the description of the ministry which Jesus Christ accomplished on the earth and which He continues to fulfill in heaven. He is an intercessor. The Intercessor. What does His intercession involve? He poured out His soul to the point of death. He was berated and mocked as an insane or perverse person. He took upon Himself the sins, infirmities, sickness and weakness of the whole human race. Through these, He interceded.

 

     It is not the intention of this statement to make our labor equal to Christ’s sacrifice. Yet, there is very little fear of such pride among the converted. Rather, it is the inequality of our sacrifice with Christ’s love which torments the mind and drives the converted soul to imitate the Savior in every way. True, no man can atone for another man’s sins but, as His Bride, we are called to the same ministry which Jesus Christ fulfilled on the earth; to bring forth new life – to intercede.

 

The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.

Luke 6:40

 

And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

2 Corinthians 5:18

 

     Intercession is more than saying a simple prayer for someone. It is taking on the suffering and need of the one for whom we intercede. We take up the cry which they utter and lift it to God for them. We cry out as that person to God. God reveals the need of another to our spirit, and our soul feels the weight of it. Intercession is not a five-minute job. It continues until the burden lifts. It may be an hour. It may be a day. It may be a week. It must not stop until there is assurance by the Spirit that the need is met and that God has released you from prayer. The intercessor carries the need of another soul as a mother carries an unborn child. There is labor. There is intensity. There is the care of the Father for the lost soul, poured into the soul of the intercessor. An intercessor joins Jesus in His ministry to those in need, bringing them in remembrance before the Father with love and care which surpass the need or even the comfort of self. Intercession is to lay your life down and take up the need of another. This is the prayer that will accomplish what God requires in this hour.