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He is an advocate to the Father, not only to Him at a distance, but with Him.

1. This was typified.

2. It was prophesied of Christ (Psalm 21:2).

3. God never denied Him any request which He put up upon the earth for the Divine glory and His people's good, and Christ Himself acknowledges it. "I know that Thou hearest Me always" (John 11:42).Now this intercession must needs be efficacious, if you consider —

1. His person.

(1)  The greatness of it.

(2)  His near relation to the Father.

(3)  The special love God bears to His person for what He hath done in the earth and doth yet in heaven.

2. It must needs be efficacious in regard of the pleas themselves, the matter of them.

(1)  The matter of His plea is holy.

(2)  It is nothing but what He hath merited.

(3)  Whatsoever He pleads for is agree able to the will of His Father.

3. In regard of the foundation of His intercession, His death.

4. In regard of the persons He intercedes for. They are those that are the special gift of God to Him, as dear to the Father as to Christ (John 17:9).

5. It is evidenced by the fruit of it.

(1) Before His sacrifice. The text intimates it; as He was a propitiation for the whole world.

(2) After His sacrifice, in the first fruit of it, the mission of the Holy Ghost.

(a)  For believers only.

(b)  For every believer particularly (Luke 22:31, 32).

6. What doth Christ intercede for?

(1)  Justification

(2)  Daily pardon.

(3)  Sanctification

(4)  Strength against temptation.

(5)  Perseverance in grace.

(6)  Acceptation of our services.

(7)  Salvation.This is the main end of His intercession (Hebrews 7:25).

1. Use of information.

(1)  Here is an argument for the Deity of Christ.

(2)  Here is a ground to conclude the efficacy of His death.

(3)  see the infinite love of God and Christ.

(4)  How little ground is there to dream of such a thing as perfection in this life! If we stand in need of a perpetual intercession of Christ in this life we have not then a perfection in this life: intercession supposeth imperfection.

(5)  Hence it follows that the Church is as durable as the world.

(6)  If Christ be an advocate, the contempt or abuse of His intercession is very unworthy.

(7)  If Christ be our advocate it is a dishonourable thing to yoke saints as mediators of intercession with Him.

(8)  If Christ be our advocate, how miserable are those that have no interest in Him!

2. Use of comfort. His design in uttering His prayer on earth, the model of His intercession, was for the joy of His people (John 17:13).

(1)  There is comfort in the perpetuity of this intercession.

(2)  There is comfort in the prevalency of it.

(3)  Hence ariseth comfort to us in our prayers.

(4)  Hence ariseth comfort against all the attempts and accusations of Satan and the rebellion of our own corruption.

3. Use of exhortation.

(1) Endeavour for an interest in this advocacy.To this purpose —

(1)  We must have a sincere faith.

(2)  We must have a sincere resolution of obedience.

(3)  Have a daily recourse to this Advocate and advocacy.

4. Let our affections be in heaven with our Advocate.

(4) Glorify and love this Advocate.

(Bishop Hacket.)

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KJV: My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

WEB: My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not sin. If anyone sins, we have a Counselor with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous.