Systematic Theology, by Louis Berkhof - New Leaven

entered not into a holy place made with hands, like in pattern to the true; but into
heaven itself, now to appear before the face of God for us,” Heb. 9:24. Reformed
theologians often directed attention to it that the perpetual presence of the completed
sacrifice of Christ before God contains in itself an element of intercession as a constant
reminder of the perfect atonement of Jesus Christ. It is something like the blood of the
passover, of which the Lord said: “And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the
houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you.” Ex. 12:13.
2. There is also a judicial element in the intercession, just as there is in the
atonement. Through the atonement Christ met all the just demands of the law, so that
no legal charges can justly be brought against those for whom He paid the price.
However, Satan the accuser is ever bent on bringing charges against the elect; but Christ
meets them all by pointing to His completed work. He is the Paraklete, the Advocate,
for His people, answering all the charges that are brought against them. We are
reminded of this not only by the name “Paraklete,” but also by the words of Paul in
Rom. 8:33,34: “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that
justifieth; who is he that condemneth? It is Jesus Christ that died, yea rather, that was
raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for
us.” Here the judicial element is clearly present. Cf. also Zech. 3:1,2.
3. Not only does the intercessory work of Christ bear on our judicial state; it also
relates to our moral condition, our gradual sanctification. When we address the Father
in His name, He sanctifies our prayers. They need this, because they are often so
imperfect, trivial, superficial, and even insincere, while they are addressed to One who
is perfect in holiness and majesty. And besides rendering our prayers acceptable, He
also sanctifies our services in the Kingdom of God. This is also necessary, because we
are often conscious of the fact that they do not spring from the purest motives; and that
even when they do, they are far from that perfection that would make them, in
themselves, acceptable to a holy God. The blight of sin rests upon them all. Therefore
Peter says: “Unto whom coming, a living stone, rejected indeed of men, but with God
elect, precious, ye also as living stones are built up a spiritual house, to be a holy
priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” Christ’s
ministry of intercession is also a ministry of loving care for His people. He helps them
in their difficulties, their trials, and their temptations. “For we have not a high priest
which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath been in all
points tempted like as we are, yet without sin: for in that He himself hath suffered,
being tempted, He is able to succor them that are tempted.” Heb. 4:15; Heb. 2:18.
445