1 Jn. 2:1 “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.”
One of the punishments for getting sick is to be quarantined in the house and being forced to watch day time television. The commercials during the day are usually based on medical needs or lawyers willing to sue for medical malpractice. A few years ago one lawyer would end his advertisement by saying, “I am in your corner”. In 1 John 2:1, the writer and apostle tell his readers that the purpose behind his writing was to keep them from sin. But should they sin, they have an ADVOCATE with the Father, Jesus Christ. The word ADVOCATE is defined, “It was used in a court of justice to denote a legal assistant, counsel for the defense, an advocate; then, generally, one who pleads another’s cause, an intercessor, advocate” W.E. Vine Dictionary of New Testament Words. Jesus stands as our defense attorney against the accusations of the devil. How is he qualified to intercede for us? He was offered as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. He is the propitiation for sins. The word propitiation is defined by Mr. Vines, by the “sacrifice of His death, is the personal means by whom God shows mercy to the sinner who believes on Christ as the One thus provided.” Jesus is our ADVOCATE because he was the sacrifice for our sins and has revealed God’s mercy. Secondly, He is qualified to be our ADVOCATE because He has been tempted in every respect just like all of humanity yet was sinless. “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” Heb. 4:15-16. We can approach the throne of God boldly, without guilt, because Jesus stands in our corner. He has successfully experienced temptations yet without sin. Notice what the author wrote in Heb. 2:17-18, “Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For, in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.” Again the idea of Christ as our propitiation for sins qualifies Him to be our ADVOCATE. As a result of His temptations, He is able to strengthen us in our temptations.
As we battle temptation and sin, there is no one better to stand in our corner and defend us.
Rom. 8:34 “Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.”