by Dutch Sheets
The part about the domain being handed over to him was true and Jesus knew it. He even called Satan "the ruler of this world" three times in the Gospels (see John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11).
And here comes heavy number two: So complete and final was God's decision to do things on Earth through human beings that it cost God the Incarnation to regain what Adam gave away. He had to become a part of the human race. I can't think of a more staggering truth. Certainly nothing could give weightier proof of the finality of this "through humans" decision God made. Without question, humans were forever to be God's link to authority and activity on the earth.
Here we have, I believe, the reason for the necessity of prayer. God chose, from the time of the Creation, to work on the earth through humans, not independent of them. He always has and always will, even at the cost of becoming one. Though God is sovereign and all-powerful, Scripture clearly tells us that He limited Himself, concerning the affairs of Earth, to working through human beings.
Is this not the reason the earth is in such a mess? Not because God wills it so, but because of His need to work and carry out His will through people.
Is this not the story woven throughout the Scriptures:
• God and humans, for better or worse, doing it together?
• God needing faithful men and women?
• God needing a race through whom to work?
• God needing prophets?
• God needing judges?
• God needing a human Messiah?
• God needing human hands to heal, human voices to speak and human feet to go?
Doesn't He need us to ask for His kingdom to come, His will to be done (see Matt. 6:10)? Surely He wouldn't want us to waste our time asking for something that was going to happen anyway, would He?
Didn't He tell us to ask for our daily bread (see Matt. 6:11)? And yet, He knows our needs before we even ask.
Didn't He tell us to ask that laborers be sent into the harvest (see Matt. 9:38)? But, doesn't the Lord of the harvest want that more than we do?
Didn't Paul say, "Pray for us that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified" (2 Thess. 3:1)? Wasn't God already planning to do this?
Are not these things God's will? Why, then, am I supposed to ask Him for something He already wants to do if it's not that my asking somehow releases Him to do it? Let's look briefly at three more biblical passages that support this.
Elijah's Fervent Prayers
In 1 Kings 18, we find the story of God needing and using a person to accomplish His will through prayer. It is the account of Elijah praying for rain after three years of drought. James 5:17-18 also mentions this occasion, and we know from his account that not only did Elijah's prayers bring rain, but they also stopped the rain three years earlier. We know we're in trouble when the prophets are praying for drought!
In verse one of 1 Kings 18, after three years of this judgment, God spoke to Elijah and said, "Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the face of the earth." Then at the end of this chapter, after several other events have occurred, Elijah prays seven times and finally the rain comes.
According to the statement in verse one, whose idea was it to send rain? ... Whose will? ... Whose initiation? Answer: God's, not Elijah's.
Then why, if it was God's will, idea and timing, did it take a human's prayers to "birth" the rain? (Elijah was in the posture of a woman in that culture giving birth, symbolizing the concept of travailing prayer.)
Why did Elijah have to ask seven times? Seven is the biblical number of completion, and I'm sure God was teaching us that we must pray until the task is accomplished. But why would this or any other prayer endeavor require perseverance, when it was God's will, idea and timing?
And finally, did Elijah's prayers really produce the rain or was it simply coincidental that he happened to be praying when God sent it?
James clarifies the answer to this last question. Yes, "the effectual fervent prayer" of this man stopped and brought the rain:
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain; and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the sky poured rain, and the earth produced its fruit (Jas. S:17-18).
The only logical answer to the question of why Elijah needed to pray is simply that God has chosen to work through people. Even when it is the Lord Himself initiating something, earnestly desiring to do it, He still needs us to ask. Andrew Murray succinctly speaks of our need to ask: "God's giving is inseparably connected with our asking.... Only by intercession can that power be brought down from heaven which will enable the Church to conquer the world.""
As to Elijah's need for perseverance, I don't want to comment extensively at this time, but for now suffice it to say that I believe our prayers do more than just petition the Father. I've become convinced that in some situations they actually release cumulative amounts of God's power until enough has been released to accomplish His will.
Daniel, a Man of Prayer
Another example that supports our premise of the absolute need for prayer is found in the life of Daniel. In 606 B.C. Israel had been taken captive by another nation because of its sin. Years later in Daniel 9 we're told that while reading the prophet Jeremiah, Daniel discovered it was time for Israel's captivity to end. Jeremiah had not only prophesied the captivity of which Daniel was a part, but he also prophesied the duration: 70 years.
At this point Daniel did something very different from what most of us would do. When we receive a promise of revival, deliverance, healing, restoration, etc., we tend to passively wait for its fulfillment-but not Daniel. He knew better. Somehow he must have known that God needed his involvement because he said, "So I gave my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes" (Dan. 9:3).
No verse in Daniel, as there is with Elijah, specifically says Israel was restored because of Daniel's prayers, but with the emphasis given to them, the insinuation is certainly there. We do know that the angel Gabriel was dispatched immediately after Daniel started praying. However, it took him 21 days to penetrate the warfare in the heavens with the message to inform Daniel that "Your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words" (Dan. 10:12). 1 can't help wondering how many promises from God have gone unfulfilled because He can't find the human involvement He needs. Paul E. Billheimer says:
Daniel evidently realized that intercession had a part to play in bringing the prophecy to pass. God had made the prophecy. When it was time for its fulfillment He did not fulfill it arbitrarily outside ofHis program of prayer. He sought for a man upon whose heart He could lay a burden of intercession.... As always, God made the decision in heaven. A man was called upon to enforce that decision on earth through intercession and faith."
God Needs Our Prayers
Another Scripture strongly supports our contention that even though God's existence and character are completely independent of any created thing (see Acts 17:24-25) and God already has all resources in His hands (see Job 41:11; Ps. 50:10-12), God needs our prayers:
"And I searched for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. Thus I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; their way I have brought upon their heads," declares the Lord God (Ezek. 22:30-31).
The implications of these verses are staggering. God's holiness, integrity and uncompromising truth prevent Him from simply excusing sin. It must be judged. On the other hand, not only is He holy, but He is also love and His love always desires to redeem, to restore and to show mercy. Scripture tells us that God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (see Ezek. 33:11).
The passage is clearly saying, "While My justice demanded judgment, My love wanted forgiveness. Had I been able to find a human to ask Me to spare this people, I could have. It would have allowed Me to show mer
cy. Because I found no one, however, I had to destroy them."
I don't like the implications of this passage any more than you do. I don't want the responsibility. I don't like to consider the ramifications of a God who has somehow limited Himself to us earthlings. But in light of these and other passages, as well as the condition of the world, I can come to no other conclusion.
Either God wants the earth in this condition or He doesn't. If He doesn't, which is certainly the case, then we must assume one of two things. Either He is powerless to do anything about it, or He needs and is waiting on something from us to bring about change. Peter Wagner agrees with this when he says:
We must understand that our sovereign God has for His own reasons so designed this world that much of what is truly His will He makes contingent on the attitudes and actions of human beings. He allows humans to make decisions that can influence history.... Human inaction does not nullify the atonement, but human inaction can make the atonement ineffective for lost people.13
This truth could intimidate us with the responsibility it implies, or even condemn us because of our lack of prayer. But another possibility exists as well. A responsibility can also be a privilege; a responsibility can be enjoyable. If allowed, this revelation can elevate us in our hearts to new positions of dignity alongside our heavenly Father and Lord Jesus. Jack Hayford said, "Prayer is essentially a partnership of the redeemed child of God working hand in hand with God toward the realization of His redemptive purposes on earth.""
Let's rise to the occasion and embrace the incredible invitation to be co-laborers with God . . . to be carriers of His awesome Holy Spirit and ambassadors for His great kingdom. Let's represent Him!
Awaken us to our destiny, Lord!
Questions for Reflection
1. How complete was Adam's (humankind's) dominion upon the earth? Can you explain how this relates to the necessity of prayer in order for God to work?
2. What did God mean when He said we were made in His image and likeness?
3. How does the story of Elijah's praying for rain (see 1 Kings 18) reinforce our assertion that God works through prayer? How about Daniel's prayer for the restoration of Israel?
4. What is the root meaning of "glory"? How does this relate to prayer and representation?
5. How does it feel to be a partner with God?
C H A P T E R T H R E E
RE-PRESENTING JESUS
Looking for Answers
When you don't know what you're looking for, you'll probably never find it. When you don't know what you're doing, you probably won't do it well.
I remember sitting in English class one day during high school. I never was very good in English-too busy doing important things such as playing football and running track. It was Friday afternoon and we had a big game that night. You can probably guess where my mind was.
After I spiked the ball into the end zone, listening to the deafening roar of the crowd, my mind gradually drifted back to my English class. The teacher was saying something about a "present participle."
Now, I had no idea what a participle was, but it didn't sound good to me. And I knew the fact that it was "present" either meant it was a current situation or something present in the room.
"Dutch," my teacher said, probably realizing I had been elsewhere, "can you find the present participle for us?"
I didn't know whether to look on the floor, the ceiling or out the window. Trying to appear as innocent, intelligent and concerned as possible, I looked around the room for a few seconds before responding, "No, ma'am, I don't see that participle anywhere. But don't worry, I'm sure it will turn up somewhere."
I never did figure out what that present participle was, but it must not have been as bad or serious as I thought because when I said that everyone sort of laughed. I was relieved, having added a little peace of mind to an obviously troubled teacher and bluffed my way out of a potentially embarrassing situation.
What is intercession anyway?
No, it's not.
I know you said prayer or something similar. But technically speaking, intercession isn't prayer at all. Intercessory prayer is prayer. Intercession is something a person does that he or she can do in prayer. That's about as confusing as a present participle, isn't it?
Think of it this way: Agreement isn't prayer, but there is the prayer of agreement. Faith isn't prayer, but there is the prayer of faith. In the same way that a person can't intentionally pray a prayer of agreement until he or she understands the meaning of agreement, a person won't be very effective in intercessory prayer until he or she understands the concept of intercession.
Are you still with me?
Before we define intercession-so that we can define inter- cessoryprayer-we're not only going to do so literally, but also in the context of (1) God's plan for humankind at the time of the Creation, (2) the disruption of that plan by the Fall and (3) God's solution. In other words, we're going to see the concept of intercession in these settings and allow them to help us define it. This will accomplish three things:
1. It will help you understand the concept of intercession so that you can understand intercessory prayer.
2. It will enable you to see Christ's role as THE intercessor. (Our intercessory prayer will always and only
be an extension of His intercessory work. This is crucial and will become clearer as we progress.)
3. With that kind of knowledge, it will make you the most spiritual person in your prayer group!
Defining Intercession
Let's look first at the literal concept of intercession; then we'll think about it in the context of the Fall.
According to Webster, "intercede" means "to go or pass between; to act between parties with a view to reconcile those who differ or contend; to interpose; to mediate or make intercession; mediation."'
Using the same source, "mediate" means "between two extremes; to interpose between parties as the equal friend of each; to negotiate between persons at variance with a view to reconciliation; to mediate a peace; intercession."2
Please notice that these terms are largely synonymous with some of the same words used to define each-"between," "interpose" and "reconcile." Notice also that one is used to define the other: "mediation" defines "intercession" and "intercession" defines "mediation."
As can be clearly seen from these definitions, the concept of intercession can be summarized as mediating, going between, pleading for another, representing one party to another for, but not limited to, legal situations.
Intercession happens in our courts daily with lawyers interceding for clients.
Intercession happens in contractual meetings daily with attorneys representing one party to another.
Intercession happens in offices and business meetings daily as secretaries or other associates "go between," representing one to another. Nothing spiritual about it.
It involves delegation.
It involves authority.
It boils down to representation. As we discussed in the previous chapter, to represent means to re-present, or present again.
Many years ago my dad hired an intercessor (we called him a lawyer) to represent him in court. Dad had been stopped by some policemen, beaten up quite badly and thrown in jailall of this with my mother and then three-year-old sister watching. The policemen thought he was someone else! Dad was actually on his way home from a church service where he had preached that night, which added to the irony and injustice of the entire ordeal.
Our attorney went between Dad, the judge, the other lawyer and the policemen. He listened to the case, gathered proof, found out what Dad wanted and then re-presented it in court. He mediated well.
We won.
All intercession is not in the sense of an attorney. That's only one example. Any work of representation or mediation between is intercession.
Now, let's think about this concept in light of the Creation and the Fall. Adam was supposed to represent God on planet Earth-managing, governing
or ruling for Him. God told Adam what He wanted and Adam re-presented Him to the rest of the earth. Adam was a go-between for God. Literally, Adam was God's intercessor or mediator on the earth.
Christ, the Ultimate Intercessor
Adam, of course, failed and God had to send another human, called the "last Adam," to do what the first Adam was supposed to do and fix what the first Adam messed up. So Christ came to re-present God on the earth. He became the intercessor or mediator, going between and re-presenting God to humanity.
According to John 1:18, Jesus exegeted God for us: "No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten God, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him." The Greek word translated "explained" is actually exegeomai, from which we get our English word "exegete. 113
You have probably heard of the small child who "was drawing a picture and his teacher said, `That's an interesting picture. Tell me about it.'
`It's a picture of God.'
`But nobody knows what God looks like.'
`They will when I get done,"' said the young artist.'
Jesus came and drew us a picture of God! Now we know what He looks like.
But that's not the only direction of His interceding. Great irony exists in the fact that Man who was meant to be God's intercessor, mediator or representative on Earth now needed someone to mediate for him. He who was made to represent God on the earth now needed someone to represent him to God. Christ, of course, became that representative, intercessor or mediator. Not only did He represent God to man, but He also represented man to God. This God-man was the attorney for both sides!
He is the ultimate, final and only go-between. He is "the Apostle [God to the human race] and High Priest [the human race to God] of our confession" (Heb. 3:1). He is job's great gobetween, hanging between heaven and Earth, placing one hand on God and the other on humans (see job 9:32-33).
Are you getting the picture? Christ's intercession, in keeping with its literal meaning, was not a prayer He prayed, but a work of mediation He did.
