Review: The Intercession of Christ
In The Intercession of Christ: Christ, A Complete Saviour, John Bunyan explores the often-forgotten doctrine of the intercession of Christ, the glorious truth that Christ is in heaven interceding for us. I found this book to be one of those with a handful of brilliant lines, but which on the whole was underwhelming. By the end I found myself scanning for gems rather than soaking in the work as a whole. That said, the gems are worth searching for.
Quotables
So then, we have salvation from that condemnation that sin had brought us into, and salvation from those ruins that all the enemies of our soul would yet bring us to, but cannot; for the intercession of Christ prevents. (32)
And this is the reason, or one reason, why they that are justified have need of an intercessor; namely, to save us from the evil of the sin that remains in our flesh. (44)
God has a great dislike of the sins of his own people, and would fall upon them in judgment and anger, much more severe than he does, were it not for Christ's intercession. (51)
Remember that the hardest or worst part of the work of your Saviour is over. His bloody work, his bearing of your sin and curse, his loss of the light of his Father's face for a time, his dying upon the cursed tree... this he did willingly, cheerfully, and without your desires; yea, this he did as considering those for whom he did it in a state of rebellion and enmity to him. (55)
[The upright believer] comes to God for hastening the gathering in of his elect; for it is an affliction to him to think that so many of those for whom Christ died should be still in a posture of hostility against him. (83)
He interceded for me, before I was born, that I might in time, at the set time, come into being. After that, he also made intercession for me, that I might be kept from hell in the time of my unregenerate state, until the time of my call and conversion. Yet again, he then intercedes that the work now begun in my soul may be perfected... until he comes to judgment. So that, as he began to save me before I had being, so he will go on to save me when I am dead and gone, and will never leave off to save me until he has set me before his face for ever. (113)
Your reformations, your works, your good deeds, and all the glory of your doing, cast them at the feet of this high priest and confess the glory belongs to him. (118)
Lastly, let this doctrine give you boldness to come to God. Shall Jesus Christ be interceding in heaven? O then, be you a praying man on earth; yea, take courage to pray. (122)Purchase the book.
