In the previous devotional I encouraged you to think about Jesus as your big brother. After all, he is described in those terms in Romans 8:29, and he calls disciples “brothers and sisters” in Mark 3:35.
One of the things an ideal big brother does is intercede for his younger siblings.
Picture a student in ninth grade who is having a hard time adjusting to high school. He lashes out and defaces the announcement board outside the gym with a marker. The principal finds him in the act and is furious. He threatens to call his parents and suspend him for two months.
But that’s the exact moment when his older brother comes along. He explains the difficulties his little brother is having. He assures the principal that he’ll deal with the situation and that they’ll wash off the marker right away. This satisfies the principle who calms down.
Perhaps it’s a simplistic comparison, but you get the idea. Things changed because of the big brother’s intercession.
In Romans 8:34 we are told very specifically about the intercession of Jesus: “Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”
Interceding for us.
Right now, if you are in Christ, your big brother is interceding for you at the right hand of our heavenly Father! He is advocating for you—exchanging wrath for mercy, horror for help, calamity for compassion. Through the Spirit and by his word he is also pouring wisdom and strength into your life!
Because of your big brother, you have more help and hope than money can buy and muscle can muster.
“Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”
Notes and extra content:
–“Our Big Brother Jesus.” Sermon. October 13, 2024. Click here.
–“Look for the good (even when life is hard.” New episode on ‘The Pulse Podcast with Matthew Ruttan.’ Find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you subscribe, or click here.
–Bible quotes are from the NIV.
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