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For this intercession of Christ there is all sorts of evidence in Scripture, by types, prophecies, and plain assertions. That was typified under the law, by what the high priest is appointed to do on the day of expiation (Leviticus 16:11-15). It is foretold by the prophet (Isaiah 53:12). It is plainly asserted in the New Testament (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 9:24); how, and in what capacity he appears for us (1 John 2:1, 2).

1. For the nature of it. In general, it is Christ's appearance in heaven in behalf of His people, as having on earth satisfied for them, done and suffered all things which were requisite on His part to be there accomplished for their salvation, both for the removing of what might hinder it, and purchasing what might perfect it, and make it complete; or a presenting of Himself, as having finished what was necessary on earth, for the saving of them to the utmost. More particularly, it includes these severals: —

(1) He appears in our nature, not only as God, but as man (1 Timothy 2:5). He appears as one concerned for us, as one who is bone of our bone, and flesh of our flesh.

(2) He appears as our advocate, to present us and our cause unto God.

(3) He presents His death as suffered in our stead, His blood as shed for us.

(4) He presents His will and desire that His people may have all the purchase of His blood. The will of The Divine nature as He is God, the desires of His human nature as He is man. Thus He is said to intercede for us, in that the Father understands that it is His will and desire, qs He is God and man, that His people may be possessed of all the effects, and receive all the advantage of His obedience and sufferings for them; so that His intercession is in effect His praying for us in heaven.

2. For the efficacy of it.

(1) The intercession of Christ is grounded upon merit, an therefore must prevail in point of justice.

(2) The efficacy of it appears in the acceptableness of all included in Christ's intercession unto God the Father, and His readiness to comply with the motions which it imports.

(3) By virtue of His intercession all that He purchased by His obedience and sufferings is actually conferred.

(4) Christ's intercession was effectual before He was actually an intercessor. By virtue of this all believers from the beginning of the world were pardoned and saved.

3. As to the continuance of this intercession, it is perpetual. The text is express for this, "He ever lives," &c. He intercedes while He lives, and He ever lives; He intercedes always.

(1) Without intermission.

(2) Without end. It is represented as the end why He lives, and the end of His life He pursues every moment.

Use 1. This leads us to admire the loving-kindness of Christ to lost sinners, in that He lives ever to make intercession for them. His affection to His people, His condescension for them, appears herein every way admirable and astonishing. There are four severals held forth in the text, which may render this for ever wonderful in our eyes.

(1) That this should be one end of His life. That He should live for us; live, to make intercession for us; live, that this should be an end and design of His life, to free us from misery, to promote our happiness and secure it; that the Son of God, infinitely happy and glorious without us, should make the concerns of men, inconceivably below Him, the design of His life; and declare that He lives for this reason, and will live upon this account, to appear on their behalf.

(2) That He should live again for us; live mote than once, more than one life for us. He had already lived one life for us, and had already lost one life for us; and when a new life was restored to Him, He would live that life for us too. As though He had not thought it enough to live one life for us on earth, He lives another for us in heaven.

(3) That He lives in our nature, and appears for us, not only as God, but as man, as one of us, as nearly allied to us; as our kinsman (Job 19:25), our brother (Hebrews 2:11, 12). It was a wonderful condescension, that He would take our nature, and unite it with the nature of God in one person; for what is man to Him but a worm? It is more worthy of admiration than if the greatest monarch should take upon him the form, and live in the likeness of a worm. This was greater love and honour than He would show the a gels (Hebrews 2:16).

(4) That He lives thus evermore (Revelation 1:18). And for what end He evermore lives, He expresses here by the apostle. This second life He lives for us is not like the first, a life of some certain years, but an endless life. He ever lives in our nature; He is never wary, never ashamed of it, how mean and vile soever it be, as it is ours.

Use 2. This teaches us to live for Christ. This highly, strongly engages us to it. Shall He live for us again and again, and live eternally for us; and will not we live once, live a little while for Him? But how? Why, after His example and method He shows us. His living for us in the text succeeded His dying for us; He was made a sacrifice before He lived to intercede for us. There is something we must die to before we can live for Him. We must sacrifice our worldly, carnal, and selfish interest; carnal and earthly designs, and affections, and inclinations, and actings, must be crucified. And then positively, to live for Him is to make it the chief end and constant design of our lives, to please Him and be serviceable to Him; to conform in all to His will, and employ all for His honour and interest.

Use 3. Here is great encouragement to faith and hope. Firm ground to believe and expect salvation to the uttermost, for those that come unto God by Christ, i.e., to those that repent and believe; those that abandon sin in heart and life, i.e., in sincerity, resolution, and endeavour, and fly unto Christ for refuge, betaking themselves to Him, to be rued and saved by Him. Such may have strong consolation from the intercession of Christ (Hebrews 6:18-20).

(D. Clarkson.)

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KJV: Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

WEB: Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make intercession for them.