This morning, we continue our series on “The Parables of Jesus.” We will seek to glean “Pearls from the Parables.”
Before we get to the parable, let’s look at a scripture we have been looking at all year. This is something I believe the Lord wants us to meditate on.
(Psalm 126:4 TPT)
Now, Lord, do it again! Restore us to our former glory! May streams of your refreshing flow over us until our dry hearts are drenched again.
This is a season of refreshing and restoring for us.
(Luke 13:6-9 NKJV)
6 He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.
7 Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’
8 But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also until I dig around it and fertilize it.
9 And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that, you can cut it down.’ “
So, what does this mean for you today? A few things.
1. Jesus is our merciful intercessor with the Father.
— Most scholars agree that the vinedresser in the parable represents Jesus.
— Jesus pleads with the owner of the vineyard and intercedes on behalf of the barren fig tree.
— This shows the compassion of Jesus’ heart.
— Jesus wanted compassion instead of consequences.
— Jesus desired restoration over retribution.
— Jesus wanted a pardon over punishment.
The Bible tells us that Jesus is our advocate with the Father, forever making intercession for us. Specifically, Hebrews 7:25 says:
(Heb 7:25 NKJV)
Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
(Heb 7:25 TPT)
So he is able to save fully from now throughout eternity, everyone who comes to God through him, because he lives to pray continually for them.
— Jesus intercedes for us! He prays for us.
— In this case, Jesus wanted mercy over judgment, asking for more time and another chance.
Understanding Jesus’ intercession for us should inspire us to embrace the second chances we are given and to extend the same grace to others in our lives.
2. Do not underestimate the power of intercession.
(a) Divine intercession can serve as a spiritual shield.
— The Bible calls satan the accuser of the brethren (Rev 12:10).
— While satan is accusing us, Jesus is standing in the gap for us and pleading on our behalf.
— Make no mistake, Jesus’ intercession acts as a spiritual shield, deflecting the enemy’s attacks and accusations against us.
— His prayers on our behalf serve as a barrier, preventing the enemy from gaining a foothold in our lives.
— His intercession also provides us with spiritual sustenance (or grace), equipping and empowering us to stand firm in the face of trials and tribulations.
— The shield of intercession not only protects but also fortifies our spirit, ensuring that we are not easily swayed by the enemy’s tactics.
— Thank God for the prayers that have gone before us, especially the prayers of Jesus!
(b) Divine intercession can help bridge the gap between someone and God.
— Ezekiel 22:30 reveals the heart of God, desiring someone to stand in the gap, highlighting the critical role of intercessory prayer in averting judgment and invoking blessings.
— Jesus, our ultimate intercessor, fills this gap, ensuring that despite our shortcomings, we are seen in the righteousness He provides.
— He bridges the gap between our weaknesses and the Father’s expectations, pleading for our forgiveness and restoration.
— His intercession also facilitates our ongoing sanctification (i.e. development), as He prays for our alignment with the Father’s will and our continual spiritual growth.
(c) Divine intercession can help unlock The Blessing.
— The prayers of an intercessor unlock blessings, breakthroughs, and divine favor in our lives, even in moments when we are unaware of the spiritual battles being fought on our behalf.
— I cannot tell you how many times I have heard a testimony of God waking someone up at a specific time, and that person begins to pray. Then, someone else, across the country or around the globe, was going through something at that very moment, and God used the prayers of one person to release the blessing over another!
— Prayer is an earthly license for heavenly interference.
— When God wants to move on the earth (of course, He can because He is God), He looks for the agreement (or prayers of faith) of His people.
— Intercession activates divine interventions, causing supernatural shifts in the spiritual realm that manifest in our physical world.
— It also releases the power of God into situations that seem hopeless, bringing forth life, restoration, and abundance where there was lack.
— The intercessory prayers of Jesus ensure that the blessings of the covenant are continually accessible to us, providing provision, protection, and prosperity in every area of our lives.
3. The impact of Jesus praying for you!
(a) Silent battles.
(Romans 8:34 NIV)
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.
— Jesus fights silent battles for us, interceding for our protection, provision, and peace in realms unseen.
— The tree did not ask for this intercession.
— The vinedresser took it upon himself to intercede on behalf of the tree.
— Only when we get to heaven will we realize all the times Jesus interceded for us and all the times that intercession kept us from the Father’s judgment.
— Our Savior’s intercession often shields us from unseen dangers, thwarting the enemy’s plans before they can manifest in our lives.
— His prayers for us are relentless and unwavering, ensuring that we are perpetually covered and protected in the spiritual realm.
(b) The essence of grace!
(1 John 2:1 NIV)
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.
— The owner of the tree came looking for fruit from the tree for three years. After it did not find any fruit, after three long years, it decided to CUT IT DOWN!
— At this point, the vinedresser decided to intercede on behalf of the tree. This was an act of complete grace. It was totally unmerited and undeserved.
— Jesus’ prayers often release God’s grace over our lives, enabling us to get through situations that would have crippled us without it.
— His intercession is a manifestation of His immeasurable love for us, advocating for us even when we are oblivious to our own shortcomings and failures.
— Jesus’ intercession is not contingent on our performance but is a pure act of grace, reflecting His steadfast love and commitment to our well-being and spiritual growth.
— His prayers for us are not just for our mistakes and failures but also for our potential and future, praying that we walk in the fullness of our destiny in Him.
That’s enough for today.
Declaration of Faith:
Father, this is a season of refreshing and restoring for me! I boldly declare:
I stand anchored in Your love for me and the intercession of Jesus.
I declare Jesus is my merciful intercessor, advocating for me continually.
I have peace and confidence because I know Jesus is standing in the gap for me! I also have other people who are praying for me.
The prayers of the righteous go before me and protect me like a shield. The attacks of the enemy will not succeed in my life!
There are prayers made for me that help bridge the gap between my weaknesses and Your expectations. I am thankful for those prayers.
I declare that the intercession of Jesus unlocks divine blessings and breakthroughs in my life.
I am assured that His silent battles (that I will not discover until I get to heaven) protect and preserve me in unseen realms.
I am a recipient of Your amazing grace, and I will be a conduit of grace everywhere I go today!
Living with this mindset, I know GREATER IS COMING FOR ME! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
1 comment
Thanks so much for the word on today 10/10