Intercession

Genesis 44-46; Luke 18 

“Your servant guaranteed the boy’s safety to my father. I said, ‘If I do not bring him back to you, I will bear the blame before you, my father, all my life!’ Now then, please let your servant remain here as my lords’ slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers.’”

Genesis 44:32, 33

Judah’s intercession before Joseph for the life and freedom of Benjamin was a testimony to the transforming work of God in his life. Much earlier it had been Judah who was instrumental in selling Joseph into slavery. Now Judah was willing to be enslaved himself, rather than allow any harm to come to Jacob’s favored son. This is a picture of Christ’s intercession for us as he willingly took our sin upon himself, that we might be free from the penalty of sin and death. 

As those who have experienced this freedom, are we, like Judah, available to intercede before God for the freedom of others?

Are we willing to offer our lives for the lives of others?

This is the heart of a missionary and of God’s mission.

“Lord Jesus, thank you for interceding for my freedom. I offer my life to you and for those who have not yet heard your good news of salvation, for your glory.”