Further Study:
“The Saviour presents the virtue of His mediation before the Father, and pledges Himself to the office of personal Intercessor. By proclaiming Himself as our Intercessor, He desires us to know that He places in the golden censer His merits and efficiency, that He may offer them with the sincere prayers of His people. How essential, then, that we pray much; for as our prayers ascend to the throne of God, they are mingled with the fragrance of Christ’s righteousness. Our voice is not the only voice heard. Before it reaches the ear of God, it blends with the voice of Christ, whom the Father always hears.”—Ellen G. White, Manuscript Releases, vol. 7, p. 166.“But so long as Jesus remains man’s intercessor in the sanctuary above, the restraining influence of the Holy Spirit is felt by rulers and people. It still controls to some extent the laws of the land. Were it not for these laws, the condition of the world would be much worse than it now is. While many of our rulers are active agents of Satan, God also has His agents among the leading men of the nation. The enemy moves upon his servants to propose measures that would greatly impede the work of God; but statesmen who fear the Lord are influenced by holy angels to oppose such propositions with unanswerable arguments.”—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 610 .
Discussion Questions:
If God loves us and sent His Son to die for us, why is it necessary for Jesus to function still as a Mediator before the Father? 
Review the book of Hebrews. What does it tell us about the reality, and importance, of Christ’s mediation in our behalf in heaven?
How does the reality of Christ’s ministration in heaven answer the question, What has Jesus been doing all these years since His resurrection?
Summary:
After His resurrection and ascension, Christ continues His saving work through His mediation in the heavenly sanctuary. From there He mediates material blessings to human beings and preserves life on the planet. As our Mediator, He applies the full benefits of His atonement on the cross to those who respond to the invitation of the Spirit to find in Him their Savior.
I N S I D E Story Flower Blooms in the Desert
by CHARLOTTE ISHKANIAN
Jasmine* grew up in Europe, but her family moved to her father's country in the Middle East when she was ten. She knew little Arabic and wasn't interested in learning, so she never mastered the language. By the time she was ready to enroll in high school, her Arabic was still so poor that she couldn't study in a government school. She would have to study in an English-medium school, and the only English school that offered boarding was the Adventist school. So her parents enrolled her.
"From the moment I stepped onto the campus, I loved this school!" Jasmine said. "Everyone was so friendly, I felt at home.
"I didn't know much about God, but I wanted to fit in. So I went to worship and Sabbath services, even though I was excused because of my family's religion. I love singing, and the Christian songs spoke to me. But I didn't listen to the sermons. However, God got my attention in other ways.
"The words, 'God is love,' were painted in the chapel. But in my mind God was vengeful and would punish me if I didn't follow Him. I wanted to know more about this Jesus. Who is He? Why is He different from the other prophets? I decided to attend the religion classes to find answers to my questions. There was so much I didn't understand. Sometimes at night I woke my roommates up to ask questions that swirled in my head.
"I went to every church service on campus, to Bible studies on Sabbath afternoon, and I even stopped people in the halls to ask them questions. I just had to know!
"But when I went home, my father suspected my interest in Christianity and told me I couldn't take Bible class anymore. I cried, but I obeyed, but I still attended church and sang in the choir, and I went to the Sabbath Bible studies. But my thirst for truth sent me back to Bible class.
"The principal told me that I could get into serious trouble for being there, but I told him I wasn't attending the class; I was just using the room for a study hall-during Bible class! I pretended to study, but I listened.
"I am still learning, but I know that I want to follow Jesus all the way. My mother knows that I want to be a Christian, and she's OK with that. She wants to learn more about Jesus too.
"Last year I should have graduated, but I failed one of my classes. What a blessing! Another whole year to study the Bible and learn more about Jesus! I can't be baptized in this country, but one day I will stand for Christ in the baptismal waters. I can't wait!
"Thank you so much for your mission offerings that support the Adventist school where I learned about Jesus."
JASMINE (not her real name) lives in a country that is unfriendly to evangelism. CHARLOTTE ISHKANIAN is editor of Mission.
Produced by the General Conference Office of Mission
Web site: www.adventistmission.org
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