Intercessor- The Supreme Vocation

This officially kicks off a short string of thoughts as we approach Passover on April 26th. The purpose of this blog is to draw our attention to and focus on the blood of Christ. I’d just like to start things off strong with a quote from E.M. Bounds.

“Only glimpses of the great importance of prayer could the apostles get before Pentecost. But the Spirit coming and filling on Pentecost elevated prayer to its vital and all-commanding position in the gospel of Christ. The call now of prayer to every saint is the Spirit’s loudest and most exigent call. Sainthood’s piety is made, refined, perfected, by prayer. The gospel moves with slow and timid pace when the saints are not at their prayers early and late and long.”
-E.M. Bounds, “Praying Pulpit Begets a Praying Pew”

Our pews are filled with countless numbers of people that have no idea who they’re called to be. Our bookstores are filled with best-selling ideas trying to coach us through this life with some semblance of successfulness. I have nothing against that. But if you’re looking for your purpose or call in life, then let me suggest that you take a look at Ezekiel 22.

“I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.” (Ez 22:30 NIV)

The role of the intercessor is the supreme vocation. God is looking for intercessors, and the fate of the nation hangs in the balance. It puts a revelatory spin on Jesus’ words, “You are the salt of the earth,” if you consider that salt is a preservative. You might be thinking, “That’s great, but prayer isn’t my gift.” Not so! You’re called to be like Jesus. Sure Jesus was an evangelist, an apostle, a shepherd, a healer and showed unsurpassed acts of compassion. We can follow his leadership in each of those areas, but it is His role as the Great Intercessor that we are called to truly emulate. He hung on a cross in the gap between God and man’s destruction. He now calls us to take up our cross and join him for the sake of others.

I am eager to explore with you in the coming days some truths of how Jesus’ blood has provided us access to God’s throne. Interested in coming along? Let’s draw near with full confidence.

Matt Lockett

Tags: Build a Wall, E.M. Bounds, Ezekiel 22:30, Intercession, Intercessor, Life Coach, Passover, Prayer

03.10.08