The Intercession of Christ

What is Jesus doing for you right now?

In this study, Dr. Toby Holt turns from what Christ has done to what He is doing at this very moment: interceding for His people. In John 17 — the "high priestly prayer" — Jesus prays not only for His disciples but for all who would believe through their word. That includes every believer today.

Dr. Holt shows that this praying did not end at the cross. Risen and ascended, Christ "ever lives to make intercession" for us (Hebrews 7:25); He is our Advocate before the Father, pleading His own finished work on our behalf (Romans 8:34). In discouraging days, the believer is not left alone — the Son Himself is praying for you, and His intercession cannot fail.

Questions this study answers:

1. Why is John 17 called the "high priestly prayer"? Because in it Jesus, as our great High Priest, consecrates Himself and intercedes for the people the Father has given Him.

2. Whom did Jesus pray for in John 17? His immediate disciples and, explicitly, all who would later believe in Him through their message — which includes believers today.

3. How is Jesus interceding for you now? Ascended to the Father's right hand, He lives to plead His finished work as our Advocate, securing our standing in grace. "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word." — John 17:20 (NKJV)

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, a Reformed seminary in Colorado Springs. He is known for clear, down-to-earth Bible teaching, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Listen and go deeper: This study is part of New Geneva Theological Seminary's teaching on systematic theology and the great doctrines of the Christian faith. Find more verse-by-verse teaching across the Bible at newgeneva.org. To support this teaching ministry, visit newgeneva.org/give.