I John 2:1-2 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: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
This is a courtroom scene. God is the judge. We are the accused. Satan is the accuser. Jesus is our defense attorney–our advocate. When we sin Satan is right there to accuse us. He constantly does it. Jesus immediately pleads our case before the judge. It’s only through his blood. We all feel condemned and guilty when we sin, but remember as saved people the condemnation has been removed. The devil demands the death penalty. The best defense attorney ever pleads our case. He’s the judge’s son and has already paid the price. He’s won the case. Let’s look at some characteristics of our advocate.
He’s wise. If I needed a defense attorney in this life, I’d want a wise one. Jesus is wise. Knowledge is power. He knows more about us than we know ourselves, even down to the number of hairs on our head. He’s armed with all the facts and knows how to use them. He’s influential. He’s in good with the judge. If I was before a judge, I’d want an attorney who’s in good with the judge. Jesus carries a lot of weight. He always gets his way. He’s a winner! He’s righteous. I want a righteous judge and lawyer. We have both when we come before God. He’ll never take advantage of us. He asks us to trust him completely. God demands a penalty for sin. Jesus paid it. He had no sin of his own to die for, yet he died for ours. He’s inexpensive. Legal advice is costly. Jesus is free of charge. The price has already been paid, and he’ll represent us to God for free. He’s a bargain! We come as sinners seeking forgiveness. Only through Jesus and his blood we get access to the Father. He’s sympathetic. He was tempted in all points as we are, yet he never sinned. He knows what we’re going through. He knows what we need. He’s untiring. He’s never off the job. He’s never gone, even in the wee hours of the night. He’s ever interceding. I can only be one place at a time. God is here and he’s in every church of his at the same time. How? We just believe by faith in his omnipresence. He cares for everyone. Even in our failures, he cares. He’s our covering. Verse 2 says he’s our propitiation for sin–our covering. He’s not a good way; he’s the only way! The only way to be in right standing is through Jesus’ blood. It covers and cleanses from sin. When we fail, he’s always our advocate with God. He stands ready to plead our case. He’s never lost a case. I brought my case to the Son. He got me acquitted. He made a new creation in me. He is still working on me. I’m not what he wants me to be, but he is working. Every time I fail, Jesus goes to the Father for me. I can depend on him.
Has the blood of Calvary been applied to your life? He’ll cleanse you, making you a new creature if you confess your sin and ask him to forgive you. If you’re saved, remember that when you fail, Jesus pleads our case to the Father. We have an advocate.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 