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The Uncommon Christ series explores lesser-known scriptural names and titles of Jesus Christ.
We all have times when we need to know that somebody is on our side, fighting with and for us. Some battles require that the person who has our back is trustworthy and competent.
Jesus Christ said of Himself, “Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father” (Doctrine & Covenants 45:3), which means someone called to another’s aid.
Due to our fallen natures, we are barred from God’s presence, so we need someone who can remedy that. Christ is trustworthy and competent, He perfectly understands all the laws and requirements, and He completely gets all parties involved.
The Greek word translated as advocate in 1 John 2:1 (parakleton) carries these implications:
“a legal advocate who makes the right judgment-call because [he or she is] close enough to the situation,” and
“someone giving evidence that stands up in court” (1).
Jesus Christ always makes the correct judgment-calls as He stands as our Advocate, called to our aid and “pleading your cause before [God]” (1 John 2:3). This perfect discernment comes because of His atonement. He understands everything: every good action and intention, every sin, heartache, joy, fear, and failure. There is truly no one closer to your situation. And He goes to bat for you because He knows your worth and potential.
He's promised to provide ample evidence at the day of Judgment that will be more than sufficient to save you and me. But look at His totally unconventional defense argument:
“Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed…; Wherefore, Father, spare [this my sister] that believe[s] on my name, that [she] may come unto me and have everlasting life” (vv. 4-5).
His appeal is not, “Father, behold your daughter and how much good she’s done. She deserves to be saved!” In fact, His argument hardly includes you or me at all!
His plea is this: “Father, look at what I've done. Behold My death and suffering. Please spare her, and give her eternal life, not because she deserves it. But because I do. My blood shed in Gethsemane and My life given on Golgotha were not needed to save Me, so let them count in place of her.”
The ironclad evidence that will save you and me—the center of His argument—is literally Himself.
And you are worth it to Him.
REFERENCES
HELPS Word-studies 3875