The Power of Intercession

In his famous chapter about Christ’s suffering, Isaiah wrote, “He bore the sins of many, and made intercession for the transgressors” (Mosiah 14:12).  To make intercession (to intercede) means “to act or interpose in behalf of someone in difficulty or trouble, as by pleading or petition.”  That Christ’s atonement was an intercession for us—saving us from the effects of sin and death—was attested to by several prophets.  Paul wrote to the Romans, “It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us” (Romans 8:34).  He also said to the Hebrews, “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” (Hebrews 7:25).  Christ lives to help us and intercede for us; His purpose is to come between us and sin and protect us from its effects.  This intercession is both unconditional and conditional: “Wherefore, he is the firstfruits unto God, inasmuch as he shall make intercession for all the children of men; and they that believe in him shall be saved. And because of the intercession for all, all men come unto God” (2 Nephi 2:9-10).  He has interceded for all of us by taking away the effects of the Fall and bringing each of us back into the presence of God.  And if we believe in Him, then His intercession allows us to stay there forever. 

            Perhaps Abinadi described the Lord’s power of intercession best when he taught the priests of Noah, “And thus God breaketh the bands of death, having gained the victory over death; giving the Son power to make intercession for the children of men.  Having ascended into heaven, having the bowels of mercy; being filled with compassion towards the children of men; standing betwixt them and justice; having broken the bands of death, taken upon himself their iniquity and their transgressions, having redeemed them, and satisfied the demands of justice.” (Mosiah 15:8-9).  Christ intercedes by standing between us and justice; He prevents us from getting what we deserve by taking upon Him what justice demands for our sins.  Through His compassion and mercy He offers us a way out from “that monster, death and hell” (2 Nephi 9:10).  I think the power of His intercession is best understood as we have occasion to plead with the Lord for help; at certain times in our lives we find ourselves begging for Him to intercede to heal a sickness or ease some pain or guide us out of darkness.  We realize that we are powerless without His help, and we need His intercession.  His power to intercede is not limited to raising us from the dead or forgiving our sins, but He intercedes to bless our lives throughout mortality, when we are ready to receive Him.  Whether we call out like Jarius for physical help, pleading, “My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed,” or whether we cry to Him like Nephi in our mental anguish, “O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin?” He has the power to intercede in our behalf.  Our need for Him to help us—to intercede between us and our problems—stays with us throughout mortality.  We thank God that we have a Savior who indeed will intercede on our behalf.