Reading 1 John -- a short letter that is full of great truth, yet in this reading there is one thing that jumped off the page for me.
"My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." 1 John 2:1 (ESV)
ESV's translation of "parakletos" is advocate…the word carries the meaning of an intercessor, consoler, a comforter. The same word used of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16). In the context "advocate" is more fitting than comforter because the word is describing one of the roles of Jesus Christ as He pleads for us before the Father (and against the accusations of the enemy).
Other translations render "parakeets" in 1 John 2:1 like this:
"My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One." NIV
"My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous." NLT
These translations are adding the function of the advocate. The function is critical to understand. Paul says it like this:
"Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us." Romans 8:34
Jesus has a place of honor. Jesus is at the right hand of God. Jesus is the only righteous one. And Jesus pleads for me. This passage from Romans envisions a court of law, with God the Father as the judge. As I stand before the judge, there is no one to condemn me because Christ has taken my guilty verdict upon himself. But, even more wonderfully, he takes the role of my defense attorney, pleading for me with the divine judge. The Greek grammar makes clear the fact that this is not a one-time thing. Rather, Christ is continuously interceding for me.
If yesterday I walked without any awe over God's love towards me and the glory of Jesus -- then it was because I was not presently aware (in a practical way) of this incredible work of Christ and too wonderful to comprehend benefit of the gospel.
My advocate is righteous. He pleads for me because it is through Him and in Him that I have my standing. The case against me is closed -- no, thrown out even. Acquitted because Jesus' righteousness has been imputed to my account. As if I've never sinned…that is the standing that I have before God -- ONLY because of Jesus and His perfect sacrifice that was accepted by the Father.
Yesterday I received a tweet from Sovereign Grace Music (very solid gospel soaked music) about a new release….one song went right along with the reading of 1 John….
"Plead for Me" by by Meghan Baird and Ryan Baird (listen here)
VERSE 1
When I grow weak I lift up my eyes
To see my Savior plead for me
When fear closes in and doubt sows a seed
I know my Savior pleads for me
CHORUS
Of Your love there is no doubt
Of Your mercies I am sure
Jesus knows my need and for me intercedes
All my hope is Christ
VERSE 2
When sins rise up I fall to my knees
To see my Savior plead for me
Storms may rage on, but this is my peace:
I know my Savior pleads for me
I echo those words and make it my prayer!!