Meaning
When on earth he made intercession for his people (Luke 23:34; John 17:20; Heb 5:7); but now he exercises this function of his priesthood in heaven, where he is said to appear in the presence of God for us (Heb 9:12, 24).
His advocacy with the Father for his people rests on the basis of his own all-perfect sacrifice. Thus he pleads for and obtains the fulfilment of all the promises of the everlasting covenant (1John 2:1; John 17:24; Heb 7:25). He can be "touched with the feeling of our infirmities," and is both a merciful and a faithful high priest (Heb 2:17, 18; 4:15, 16). This intercession is an essential part of his mediatorial work. Through him we have "access" to the Father (John 14:6; Eph 2:18; 3:12). "The communion of his people with the Father will ever be sustained through him as mediatorial Priest" (Ps 110:4; Rev 7:17).
