Jesus As Our Advocate

In writing to Christians in 1 John, the apostle John urges them not to sin, but if they should sin through weakness or ignorance, they have an "advocate" who stands in their behalf before the Father.

In 1 John 2:1, the word "Advocate" refers to an attorney who speaks for an accused person to gain the sympathy of a judge. Other words with the same meaning are "intercessor" or "mediator." In legal terms, it means one who is counsel for the defense.

As Christians, we can take courage in the fact that we have a great advocate in Jesus Christ our Lord, who is at God's right hand interceding for us (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 9:24). Not only does our Lord plead our case before God, He also serves as the propitiation or satisfaction for our sins (1 John 2:2; cf. Romans 3:23-26; 1 John 4:10).

The blood of Christ is the ransom given for our sins (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45; 1 Timothy 2:5-6). Thus, His pleadings are heard because of the precious blood that He shed at Calvary (Hebrews 9:11-12; cf. Ephesians 1:6-7).

However, let us remember the Lord's blood will not purge our sins if we are not trying to live right!

We must always "walk in the light" of God's word (1 John 1:7; cf. Psalm 119:105) by obeying Him in the keeping of His commandments (1 John 2:3-5) and by emulating our Lord's example (1 John 2:6; cf. 1 Peter 2:21-25).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets