An advocate is a person who is legally qualified to plead the cause of another in a court of law. When someone is charged to court for a criminal offence, the universal practice is to get a lawyer for his defence. The lawyer will be the one to advocate for, and also defend the accused. The above definition shows that professionalism and qualification are key to being an advocate.
In the Old Testament era, the high priest was functioning as an advocate who stood in the gap for the sins committed by his people. He was only qualified to plead the cause of his people after he must have made animal sacrifices for the atonement of his own sins. If he did not appease God with the blood of animals, he would not come out alive from God’s presence. In addition, he must also be professional about the whole mediation process, and follow strict procedures and precepts. The high priest would go to the holiest place once in a year to advocate for his people. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ came as the true advocate who does not need to perform the cleansing rites before pleading the cause of the entire world. He does this at all times, not on a yearly basis! *“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: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world”* (1John 2:1-2). In the above epistle, Apostle John expounded on the role of Jesus as our advocate, who also became the propitiation for our sins. Biblically, ‘propitiation’ means to satisfy the wrath of God against sin. The high priest functioned as a propitiator, but Jesus is the propitiation as He satisfies the conditions to appease God through His death on the cross of calvary. He became the innocent lamb that was slain in order to fulfill the scripture which says *“... without shedding of blood is no remission”* (Heb. 9:22). Since the ascension of Jesus, He has been constantly advocating for us at the right hand of God. Whenever the accuser of the brethren, the devil, comes to present your imperfections to God; Jesus turns to His Father begging on your behalf. He is the sure advocate who is full of forgiveness, compassion and empathy for the sinners. He desires that sinners will repent and turn from their wicked ways.
Friend, Jesus died for us so that we will not experience eternal death! He paid the ransom for our sins and became our advocate. Celebrate Jesus Christ because He is your sure advocate! *HAPPY NEW MONTH.*
