Good Cop Jesus, Bad Cop Father: Why Jesus Isn't Pleading Against the Father

Have you ever heard someone say, "Jesus has to plead our case before God the Father, who is the judge?" You might picture some courtroom scene where Jesus nervously advocates for you, but God's courtroom isn't what you think it is. Let's dive into it.

Where Did This Teaching Come From

This teaching is rooted in Jesus's intercession for believers. Here are a few scriptures:

"Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us." (Rom 8:34)
"Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them." (Heb 7:25)
"My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One." (1 John 2:1)
"For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus," (1 Tim 2:5)

Definitions

Let's break this down:

"Intercession" in scripture means:

ἐντυγχάνω conveys purposeful approach to a superior on behalf of another. The verb is not casual prayer; it is an urgent appeal that carries the thought of access, advocacy, and prevailing representation. Whether voiced by accusers, prophets, the Holy Spirit, or the exalted Christ, it always describes speaking into the presence of authority with specific intent. It also means to appeal or plead. (Source)

An "advocate" in scripture means:

A legal advocate who makes the right judgment-call...an adovocate, advisor, helper...someone giving evidence that stands up in court. (Source)

A "mediator" in scripture means:

The Greek noun rendered mediator (μεσίτης) denotes one who stands in the middle to reconcile estranged parties or to secure the terms of a covenant. In Scripture the office involves both representation before God and the authoritative transmission of God’s will to humanity. (Source)

Modern Definitions of the Terms

Intercede: to intervene between parties with a view to reconciling differences (Source)
Advocate: one who defends or maintains a cause or proposal, one who supports or promotes the interests of a cause or group, one who pleads the cause of another, to support or argue for (Source)
Mediator: occupying a middle position, acting through an intervening agency, to bring accord out of by action as an intermediary (Source)

The Misunderstanding of Mercy

From the definitions above, we can conclude that Christ became the mediator for us. He closed the gap in our relationship with the Father through His sacrifice. He fulfilled the contract and signed it in His blood. This doesn't mean:

Jesus is hoping to change God's mind
He's pleading for us so fervently that He must die or shed His blood again
God doesn't know our name personally
Jesus is begging God to tolerate us

So, what does this mean?

The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) and it requires a sacrifice. Death is never satisfied (Proverbs 30:16), but Jesus took the keys and has conquered it (Revelation 1:18). We have passed from death to life (1 John 3:14). In the end, Jesus will completely destroy death forever (Isaiah 25:8).

There will be a courtroom, but it won't be the same for believers and unbelievers. Believers will stand before the Bema Seat (2 Corinthians 5:10) and unbelievers will face the Great White Throne (Revelation 20:11-15). The Bema Seat will test the works of believers to see what remains. The Great White Throne will show unbelievers that their names are not written in the Book of Life, reveal all their works, and then they are cast into outer darkness.

For believers, there is no condemnation or wrath (Romans 8:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:9), but there will be for unbelievers because they have not accepted Christ as their Savior. The Holy Spirit seals believers for that day and represents our down payment on our eternal inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14).

Think of it like bringing in your paperwork as evidence. This doesn't mean Jesus is like, "Who are you again? Oh, yeah..." Here's another way to picture it: you may know how to drive a car, but you need proof with your driver's license. You get pulled over without it and you're in big trouble! It's the same thing. This doesn't mean that God forgot about you when you come before the throne—it's about adoption. It's like how you can pinpoint your own child in a classroom full of students or recognize your car in a large parking lot.

Look at the parable in Matthew 22:1-14. It tells of a father throwing a wedding feast for his son, but a man comes in without the proper clothing and is cast out. You must be clothed in Christ and have His Spirit. There's no way of getting into heaven without His Holy Spirit because He is the one who helps us in prayer, convicts, comforts, and leads us to all truth. You cannot walk in the Spirit on your own.

The Unity Between the Father and the Son

When it comes to this teaching, you may feel that there's a divide in heaven of wants and desires. Jesus is not begging the Father to let us in. There's no secrecy about your condition or entrance. The Bible declares:

Jesus and the Father are one (John 1:18, 8:58, 10:30, 12:45, 14:9)
Jesus and the Father want the same thing (Matthew 11:27, John 5:19-23)
God sent Jesus to save and not condemn us (John 3:16-17)
Jesus is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15, Hebrews 1:2-3)
God has given Jesus all authority and judgment (Matthew 28:18)
You are loved by the Father and Jesus (John 14:21)
Jesus and the Father live within you (John 14:23)
God draws you personally to Jesus Christ for salvation (John 6:44)
If you are known by Jesus, you are known by the Father (1 John 2:23)
Jesus resides at the bosom of the Father (John 1:18)

Jesus willingly laid down His life and no one could take it from Him (John 10:18). This wasn't, "Son, you're going to save the people from their sins whether you like it or not." In John 17:1-5, Jesus doesn't sound like He's being held captive by the greatest commission of all time, where no one was worthy to do such a task but Him. He glorified in it and considered it the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2).

My Personal Experience in Christ's Intercession

Hopefully this doesn't rattle anyone, but I've had my tango with mental health, lol. In the middle of that journey, I've had a few visions of Christ's intercession for me that I honestly didn't expect.

One day, I pictured myself before the throne, just banging my head on the ground in distress. I was at the end of myself. Suddenly, I saw Christ rush down into prayer—it startled me. This vision played in my head like a movie, and for a moment I spiraled even harder. I stopped and tested it, wondering, "Wait… is this Christ's intercession for me?" I told my husband about it, and he just looked at me and said, "You know what the vision means."

The very next day, I had another. I was about to fall asleep when I saw Jesus in an open field. He was on His knees, looking upward with a troubled face, praying with this deep, focused fervor. I thought, "Jesus… you praying for me again? 😅"

I didn't make up what happened after either vision—especially the second one. That's why I can't just dismiss the idea that Jesus still actively prays for us, especially in moments when we need strength. Scripture says He lives to make intercession (Hebrews 7:25), and while that's an eternal truth grounded in His finished work, maybe sometimes He lets us see that intercession take form in a personal, living way.

This intercession doesn't mean that God the Father doesn't know what's going on, but that Christ is active in the war with us for our souls. Our three-fold cord will not be broken with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Here's an example of Jesus praying for the disciples:

"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." (Luke 22:31-32)

I've read that some have said Jesus was only praying for the disciples at that time and doesn't mean He's doing that for us. Are we not also His disciples (John 13:35)? Are we all not tempted on this earth and need strength and advocacy? Christ Jesus is the Author and Perfecter of our faith, and through Him we can cry "Abba Father," thanks to the Holy Spirit He has given us.

The True Accuser

Now that we understand Jesus isn't hoping to change the Father's mind about us, we know who actively goes before the throne to accuse us. Satan is the accuser of us all (Revelation 12:10). He actively tries to tempt us to sin and turn us from God. Don't think your "Job experience" is a lie. I bet we all have had one! As stated above, Satan already asked to mess with the disciples and Jesus knew about it! You can guess how many times Satan has gone before the Lord to accuse you too. You are not exempt.

When Jesus "pleads" our case, He's not begging a reluctant Father to accept us. He's confidently presenting the evidence—His blood, His sacrifice—like a lawyer who already knows the case is won. God wants the case dismissed, so He placed Jesus there to defend you. The "pleading" isn't to change God's mind; it's to silence the accuser with proof of what's already been accomplished.

Jesus's work on the cross tore the veil of the temple so that we can have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place (Matt 27:51, Heb 10:19-20). This is what the Father wanted! God the Father has loved us so much that He wants to call us His children by Christ's sacrifice (1 John 3:1). He has set us apart and desired that we would come out of darkness into His light (1 Pet 2:9). God lives in us so that we can live for Him with new hearts (Ezek 36:26).

If God is not against you, you are in great company:

"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us." (Romans 8:31-34)

Closing

Jesus and the Father are not working separately. God the Father has drawn you to His Son so that you can be in His presence forever. The Father and Jesus Christ BOTH love you. They are one. If Christ had a different motive than the Father, He would not have given Him all authority and power. There is no other name under heaven by which we can be saved (Acts 4:12) and the Father has glorified Himself in the Son (John 13:32). Christ does what the Father does (John 5:19). Christ alone is worthy to save and open the scroll (Revelation 5:2). Christ's intercession ensures that the hunger of death can be paid in full for you. He bought you with a price. That price was your life, which is held in very high esteem.

Walk in the comfort that God the Father and Jesus Christ BOTH live in you. Keep running to Jesus, your forerunner.

Love, Ashley 💘

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