A Go Between - Ps Michael Podhaczky

Have you ever in been a situation where you had to be a go between? Maybe you needed to take a message to people who were unable or reluctant to meet. This is the idea behind the words intercession and intercessor. However, in everyday language, we discuss intercession as it relates to the idea of prolonged prayer. However, to intercede means to make an appeal on behalf of another; i.e. act as a go between, to step in on behalf of events, persons and places before God.  

Some Old Testament examples of intercession are as follows; when Abraham acted as a go between for Lot and Sodom (Gen 18:16-33), when Moses was the go between for Israel (Ex 33:12-23; Deut 9:25-28), and one last Old Testament example is when Moses and Aaron were the go between for Israel (Num 16:20-30, 43-50). While there are few references of intercession in the New Testament, there is a focus on Jesus Christ the intercessor. There was the time when Jesus Christ was the go between for Peter (Lk 22:31-32). Likewise, even in His death on the cross, Jesus Christ was the go between for His murderers (Lk 23:34). Jesus Christ is said to be constantly making intercession (Heb 7:25). It is through His death and resurrection that He has the right to be the greatest go between.

Consequently, as Christ-followers we can likewise intercede for others, because Jesus Christ earned the right on our behalf to come before the Father as a go between in His name. Since we have access through the grace (Rom 5:1f), and we can be a go between for those in need. Simultaneously, by being a go between for another person, we reveal the character of Jesus Christ and the priority of love for one another. Thus, it has a two-fold value.

In light of what we have just looked at, on a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your present practice of interceding? What are you willing to do to become a go between?