A Cultural Perspective on Intercession

This is an interesting perspective written for young people regarding the process of intercession in Greek and Roman culture.

“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25

M. McWhorter gives some background information about a possible aspect of the verse above:

“In New Testament times people were given a trial just like they are now. The court might not be set up just like it is now but the person who was accused had the right to trial.

The judge of the court sat on a slightly elevated platform. He listened to all the evidence. Then he would take time to consider all the evidence. He would think about what the law said regarding the situation. He would then make his decision about the guilt or innocence of the accused person.

The judge had two individuals who sat next to him. These people were like secretaries. They wrote down much of what was said during the trial. This is so that the judge could be sure he knew what had been said when he was trying to make his decision.

They also had another important role. One of them sat on the judge's right side. The other sat on his left side. If the judge found the accused person guilty, the secretary on his left side wrote the person's name on a certificate of guilt. If the judge found the person innocent, the secretary on his right side would write the person's name on a certificate of innocence.

The wording in this verse is very much like how the secretary was pictured by the Greeks and Romans. “To make intercession” is the wording which makes reference to this practice. And in Ephesians 1:20 we find that Jesus is indeed sitting on the right hand of God, the Father.”