Lent Day 33 [03.27.2026] Jesus the Intercessor

I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. - John 17:9

Scripture: John 17:1-26

Prior to Jesus’ arrest, He concludes the former portion of His ministry with intercession. He firstly prays in declaration that through Him, the work and word of God have been completed. Now all that remained would be Christ’s glorification referring to the finished work of the cross and resurrection. Jesus prays for those who have received and believed in His words. He asks God to protect them, cleanse them, and empower them to bring the full measure of joy into this world. Finally, Jesus prays for all those who would come to believe through the message and testimony of His believers.

This prayer is known as the Upper Room Prayer in the larger procession known as the Upper Room Discourse. The upper room discourse begins with Jesus washing the feet of His disciples and ends with this final prayer known as the High Priestly Prayer. In the Old Testament, the High Priest would enter the Most Holy place once a year to offer blood sacrifices for his own sins and the sins of all the people of Israel. In this way, the High Priest would make atonement for sins on behalf of all the people of Israel. This prayer is known as the High Priestly Prayer because Jesus steps into the role of High Priest as He intercedes and becomes the ultimate mediator between us and God. He prays on behalf of our protection, sanctification, and renewal, offering Himself as the blood sacrifice. Jesus serves as the High Priest and as the lamb to be sacrifice, entering the Most Holy Place to become the ultimate bridge between God and humanity.

Reflection:

1.     How can we live according to the truth that Jesus intercedes on our behalf in this way even today?

2.     How can we intercede for others in the same loving and powerful way Jesus intercedes for us?

Prayer:

Dear God, help me to live my faith on the confidence that there is an eternal and powerful mediator who prays over me at all times. Thank you, Jesus, for your life, death, and resurrection, and the truth that brings joy and purpose in my life. Help me to live in courage, knowing that you are always interceding for my life. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

제목: 중보자 되신 예수님

본문: 요한복음 17:1-26

예수님께서는 체포되시기 전에 중보의 기도로 자신의 사역의 앞부분을 마무리하십니다. 먼저 예수님은 하나님께 선언하시며 기도하십니다. 자신을 통해 하나님의 일과 말씀이 완성되었음을 고백하십니다. 이제 남은 것은 그리스도의 영광, 곧 십자가와 부활을 통한 완성입니다. 예수님은 자신의 말씀을 받고 믿은 사람들을 위해 기도하십니다. 그들을 보호하시고, 거룩하게 하시며, 이 세상에 온전한 기쁨을 전할 수 있도록 능력을 주시기를 구하십니다. 마지막으로 예수님은 제자들의 증언을 통해 앞으로 믿게 될 모든 사람들을 위해 기도하십니다.

이 기도는 ‘다락방 기도’로 알려져 있으며, 더 큰 흐름인 ‘다락방 강화’의 마지막 부분입니다. 다락방 강화는 예수님께서 제자들의 발을 씻기신 장면에서 시작하여 이 기도로 마무리됩니다. 구약에서 대제사장은 일 년에 한 번 지성소에 들어가 자신의 죄와 이스라엘 백성의 죄를 위해 속죄 제사를 드렸습니다. 이렇게 대제사장은 백성을 대신하여 죄를 속하는 역할을 했습니다. 이 기도가 ‘대제사장적 기도’라 불리는 이유는 예수님께서 대제사장의 역할을 감당하시며 우리를 위해 중보하시기 때문입니다. 예수님은 우리의 보호와 거룩함, 새로움을 위해 기도하시며, 동시에 자신을 희생 제물로 드리십니다. 예수님은 대제사장이자 희생양으로서 지성소에 들어가 하나님과 인간 사이의 완전한 다리가 되십니다.

묵상 질문:

1. 예수님께서 지금도 우리를 위해 중보하고 계신다는 진리를 우리는 어떻게 삶 속에서 살아낼 수 있을까요?

2. 우리는 예수님처럼 사랑과 능력으로 다른 사람들을 위해 어떻게 중보할 수 있을까요?

   
   

기도:

하나님 아버지, 언제나 저를 위해 중보하시는 영원하고 능력 있는 중보자가 계심을 믿고 살아가게 하소서. 예수님의 삶과 죽음, 부활을 통해 주신 진리와 기쁨, 그리고 삶의 목적을 감사합니다. 항상 저를 위해 기도하고 계심을 기억하며 담대하게 살아가게 하소서. 예수님의 이름으로 기도합니다. 아멘.