Intercession III

 

Intercession III;  intercessory type of faith is  when we use our faith on behalf of another person.

^NLT  Hebrews 7:25 Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. (Heb 7:25 NLT)

What does it mean to have faith in “Yeshua” (Jesus Christ of Nazareth)?

While sitting in front of my computer thinking of how to explain the term “faith” the thought came to me – “achieve what you believe.”  In the logical sense “believe that God said it, then set a goal to achieve it according to Christ’s instructions for Godly living.

Back in the 1970’s the definition of “faith,” moved away from meaning fidelity, faithfulness, or the character of one who can be relied on. Faith became a source of mind control or “believe it and receive it” type of preaching.

The following verses show how Yeshua (Jesus Christ of Nazareth) recognized “faith” in the form of intercession.  Jesus is referencing how people used their faith in a way that moved the Son of God.  For example, in Mark 2:5 some brothers who believed in the power of Jesus brought a man up before the Lord. These brothers’ concern stirred Christ to have compassion on the man.  The man was not only healed, but more importantly Jesus forgave his sins.

^NLT  Mark 2:5 Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” (Mar 2:5 NLT)

^NIV  Proverbs 17:9 Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. (Pro 17:9 NIV)

^NIV  Proverbs 17:9 Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. (Pro 17:9 NIV)

 In the natural the believer saw his friend needed to be healed, but Jesus saw a man who needed eternal life.  Therefore, Christ conferred salvation upon him.  This was an intercessory type of faith where we use our faith on behalf of another person.

Just to make sure we are clear about this meaning, below is the Greek definition of the word, “faith”.

Strong’s Concordance word “faith” number 4102 πίστις pistis {pis’-tis}     Meaning:  1) conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT- of a conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervor born of faith and joined with it 1a) relating to God.

1a1) the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ 1b) relating to Christ

1b1) a strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God.

1c) the religious beliefs of Christians.

1d) belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ, springing from faith in the same.

2) fidelity, faithfulness.

2a) the character of one who can be relied on.

None of these definitions apply to mind control or meditation.

^MIT  Hebrews 7:25 For this reason, Jesus is able to save for all time those coming to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. (Heb 7:25 MIT)

I must trust in the fact that Jesus is forever interceding on my behalf. I can trust that God’s Man-in-the-gap between Heaven and Earth is covering me.

Mercy and Kindness

Strong’s Concordance word <02617a> )  חֶסֶד chesed) (338c(

Meaning: goodness, kindness

Origin: from 2616a Usage: deeds of devotion (2), devotion(m)(1), devout (1), faithfulness (1), favor (2), good (1), kindly (7), kindness (32), kindnesses (1), loveliness (1), lovingkindness (176), lovingkindnesses (7), loyal deeds (1), loyalty (6), mercies (1), merciful (2), mercy (1), righteousness (m)(1), unchanging love (m)(2).

^NLT  Hebrews 7:25 Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. (Heb 7:25 NLT)

Sometimes, God will appoint believers as intercessors because He knows they will do the right thing in a crucial situation.  God will set them up and they are totally unaware that God is going to use them in unique ways. By His divine design, God seeks people whose lives exemplify faithfulness, mercy and kindness.

I like the story in Hebrews where faith and kindness come together and the result is an act of mercy. The story is about a poor widow who needed food for herself and her starving son. There was a famine in the land and the woman only had one bread left. Nevertheless, the prophet asked her to give him the food first.

Why was it important for the widow to feed the man of God first?

^LEE  1 Kings 17:9 Arise, go unto Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and remain there: behold, I have ordained there a widow-woman to sustain thee. (1Ki 17:9 LEE) ISAAC LEESER (JEWISH BIBLE)

Ordained

Strong’s Concordance word<06680> ) צָוָהtsavah) (845b(

Meaning: to lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order

Origin: a prim. root

Usage: appoint (2), appointed (4), ordained(m)(4), order(m)

Because of the sins of the children of God, a harsh famine had hit the land. The Lord never wanted His people to suffer, but His hands were tied.  The wages of sin are death, however if an intercessor performed an unusual act of mercy, God could be released from His stationary position. This widow shook Heaven because she ignored her own immediate needs in order to minister to someone else.  It is important to remember that it would have been unfair for God to interfere with what was already in motion. However, because of this woman’s act of kindness a Godly chain of events occurred.  Elijah was able to complete his assignment against Baal and the false prophets.  And, ultimately, God decided to end the famine.

Note: We see an act of kindness being a great influence in spiritual affairs.  She cooked her last bread for the man of God.  He was strengthened to war against Ba-al and the enemies of Adonai. Finally, when the false prophets were eliminated, godliness was restored and the famine ended.  It was only when the un-named and un-celebrated starving widow was willing to feed the man of God her last meal that we see the phenomenon of food reappearing daily. It was also only after Elijah had eaten the bread and was able to destroy Ba-al’s’ prophets that God’s promise of rain was fulfilled.

¹⁰ So he went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the gates of the village, he saw a widow gathering sticks, and he asked her, “Would you please bring me a little water in a cup?”

 ¹¹ As she was going to get it, he called to her, “Bring me a bite of bread, too.”

 ¹² But she said, “I swear by the LORD your God that I don’t have a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die.”

 ¹³ But Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid! Go ahead and do just what you’ve said, but make a little bread for me first. Then use what’s left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son.

 ¹⁴ For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the LORD sends rain and the crops grow again!”

 ¹⁵ So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her family continued to eat for many days. (1Ki 17:10-15 NLT)