DO WE WORSHIP A DEAD OR A LIVING GOD?

I was standing awkwardly after worship near a group conversing. Have you ever been in that moment? You are waiting to chat with someone but the person is already engaged in another conversation. I needed to speak with a person in the group, but couldn't do much without being rude. Even if I was rude and interrupted, there was no guarantee that the person I needed to speak with would respond. I needed an advocate, I needed someone in the group to act on my behalf. I needed someone to use their influence in the moment to allow me an audience. 

How much more so for us mere mortals on earth! The conversations and ordering of the universe is an important and I can only imagine very busy bit of work. How can we bend the ear of God Almighty to hear us and care for our daily concerns and needs? We enter into the divine discussion and interrupt the flow of the cosmic conversation only by the intercession of another. The work Jesus Christ engages in on a daily basis since his ascension is to intercede for his people in the courts of heaven. 

The Belgic Confession was written in 1559 and has some incredibly helpful summary statements based on the Bible regarding the ongoing work of Christ Jesus in Article 26:

Article 26: The Intercession of Christ

We believe that we have no access to God except through the one and only Mediator and Intercessor, “Jesus Christ the righteous,” who therefore was made human, uniting together the divine and human natures, so that we human beings might have access to the divine Majesty. Otherwise we would have no access. 

But this Mediator, whom the Father has appointed between himself and us, ought not terrify us by his greatness, so that we have to look for another one, according to our fancy. For neither in heaven nor among the creatures on earth is there anyone who loves us more than Jesus Christ does.

Although he was “in the form of God,” Christ nevertheless “emptied himself,” taking “human form” and “the form of a slave” for us; and he made himself “like his brothers and sisters in every respect.” Suppose we had to find another intercessor. Who would love us more than he who gave his life for us, even though “we were enemies”? And suppose we had to find one who has prestige and power. Who has as much of these as he who is seated at the right hand of the Father, and who has “all authority in heaven and on earth”? And who will be heard more readily than God’s own dearly beloved Son?

So, the practice of honoring the saints as intercessors in fact dishonors them because of its misplaced faith. That was something the saints never did nor asked for, but which in keeping with their duty, as appears from their writings, they consistently refused. We should not plead here that we are unworthy— for it is not a question of offering our prayers on the basis of our own dignity but only on the basis of the excellence and dignity of Jesus Christ, whose righteousness is ours by faith. Since the apostle for good reason wants us to get rid of this foolish fear—or rather, this unbelief—he says to us that Jesus Christ was made like “his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest” to purify the sins of the people. 

For since he suffered, being tempted, he is also able to help those who are tempted. And further, to encourage us more to approach him he says, “Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

The same apostle says that we “have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus.” “Let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith….” Likewise, Christ “holds his priesthood permanently….Consequently, he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” What more do we need? For Christ himself declares: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Why should we seek another intercessor?

Since it has pleased God to give us the Son as our Intercessor. let us not leave him for another—or rather seek, without ever finding. For, when giving Christ to us, God knew well that we were sinners. Therefore, in following the command of Christ we call on the heavenly Father through Christ, our only Mediator, as we are taught by the Lord’s Prayer, being assured that we shall obtain all we ask of the Father in his name.

Belgic Confession of Faith

We Worship a Living God

We worship a living God. Christ lived, died, and rose again. He had a finished work that was accomplished on the cross and in the tomb. Then he took up a new position and new work in his continual, ongoing, beneficial intercession for his people. Our prayers, our desires, do not reach heaven because we speak them loudly enough, or because of our righteousness or on the winds of good intentions or positive thoughts. We worship a living God. Christ Jesus is actively working on behalf of his people today. We're told by the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:34

Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. (Romans 8:34 ESV)

My God died, but my God is not dead. My God was laid to rest, but he is earnestly at work. We all are standing outside the cosmic conversation, and in ourselves we have no hope of being heard in that divine discourse. Thanks be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ that we have a friendly voice who with great passion advocates for us. We mortals have a great many needs, and we have in Christ Jesus one who sympathizes with our needs and takes our pleas, our desires, our prayers daily before God the Father Almighty. 

While we were yet outside the cosmic conversation, Christ Jesus paused the discourse and brought us into the discussion. While we were actively being condemned, Christ Jesus spoke up and said he would take our place. Today, for those who have faith in Christ Jesus, the cosmic conversation continues, and we have an insider who speaks for our benefit. We have a representative who seeks our best at all times to ensure that we are built up and presented as Holy to the Father. 

I've heard some say they believe in the power of prayer. So do the Muslims. So do Hindus. We Christians don't believe in the power of prayer, we believe in the power of the living God. We believe that through prayer we speak directly with God who then actively seeks our good. Do you pray to a dead God or a living God? Do you pray to Christ Jesus who is actively working even this day for your benefit and eternal good? When you pray today, pray to the advocate who has interrupted the cosmic conversation for our benefit. Pray to God through the name of Jesus Christ who loved you enough to take your cares into the cosmic conversation.