We Have the Advocate!

Recently, one of my children received a poor final grade in a class. We had just moved, and in the transition between schools, we never saw the final grade. This was very unlike this child, who makes straight A’s.

As we looked into it, we discovered there had been a glitch in the system. My child had done the work, but some of it had not been recorded. The problem was that no one caught the “D” until after the grades had been finalized. The teacher became uncommunicative, and the principal told us that the window to change the grade had passed.

My child needed an advocate.

My wife and I took all the information into account to make sure we weren't simply being complaining parents. The evidence was clear. We began to make the case. We asked the principal to review the data. We wouldn't stop simply because the initial answer was “no.”

And as I write this midweek pause, I'm still waiting to see if the grade will change.

No matter what happens, we're proud of our child for doing the work, disappointed by the situation, and grateful for the opportunity to advocate for what we believe is right.

We tried our best to be an advocate for our child.

But all of us, as the children of God, in Christ - We have the Advocate!

PAUSE for a moment and reflect on these powerful verses about our Advocate. Let these words penetrate your heart and soul right now.

“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 8:34)

Jesus is at the right hand of God interceding for us. The risen Christ is not distant from us. He is actively representing us before the Father. How incredible is that?

“Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” (Hebrews 7:25)

Jesus always lives to intercede for us. His work on our behalf isn't finished. He isn't tired of us. He doesn't give up on us. How awesome is that?

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to help you and be with you forever.” (John 14:16)

Jesus promises another Advocate - the Holy Spirit - to help us and be with us forever. Jesus is our Advocate, and the Holy Spirit is the Advocate who dwells with us and in us. How amazing is that?

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” (Romans 8:26)

The Spirit intercedes for us when we don't even know how to pray. When words fail, God doesn't. How comforting is that?

No matter what you're facing today or whatever you may face in the future, you have an Advocate.

Jesus is your Advocate. He knows you. He has forgiven you. He loves you. He stands for you. And He will never let you go.

You may have moments when you feel like you have to defend yourself, prove yourself, or make your own case.

But the gospel reminds us that Jesus has already made the case for you.

You belong to Him.

May you rest today in the presence of the Father, through the Son, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

We have the Advocate!

PS: Right after I finished writing this, the principal called to tell us they were changing my child's grade to an “A!” How powerful is that?

And it reminded me: sometimes, we get to see the outcome of the advocacy happening on our behalf. But whether we see the outcome we hoped for or not, we can always trust the Advocate who stands with us.