Following the death of a loved one, you have probably heard someone make a statement similar to this: “Well, I know she’s up there right now and is going to do all she can to help us out down here. She’ll be looking out for us.” Heard something like that? Have you ever said anything like that? Hmmm?
Where people get such notions I personally do not know. Wishful thinking? Unbearable grief? Religious beliefs not found in the Bible? Tradition? There is nothing in God’s holy book which even remotely supports such an idea. The body of the deceased goes into the ground, and the spirit of the deceased returns to God to Hades, the place for the spirits of the dead. It is worthy to note that when Saul had the medium at En-dor “bring up” Samuel his response was “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” (1 Samuel 28:15).
Some religions hold that after certain pious persons die they can be given some special status whereby they can intercede with God and affect events on earth. Mary, Jesus’ mother, is also seen by some to be able to do this. Again, we find nothing in God’s word to support such beliefs.
The scripture is plain. “...there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” He has mediated a new and better covenant between man and God by means of His blood. Jesus has been designated as High Priest, and He is the One who continually makes intercession for His people (Hebrews 7:23-25). Jesus is also our Advocate with the Father whenever we sin (1 John 2:1-2). He lived a life without sin and overcame death through His resurrection. Jesus, and only Jesus, has “earned the right” to be designated by God as mediator, intercessor and advocate for humanity.
Just before the cross, Jesus said this to His disciples: “...if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you. Until now you have asked for nothing in My name...” (John 16:23-24). He was anticipating His place as mediator and intercessor between God and mankind. We come to the Father through the Son, and through the Son only. He is the only One qualified for the job.
><> Jeff
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