You’ve Been Served

STORY: Victim’s Advocate

I’ve been to court several times. Sometimes I sat behind the accused, with the family. One time I was the defendant and had to hire representation. I stood before the judge, who dismissed the case without warrant.

The time I went to court as the victim’s advocate was one of the hardest. The abuser had placed a doorknob in a sock and swung it against the victim again and again, breaking many facial bones and disfiguring her for life. Not to mention the mental and emotional damage. I was there to make sure my client’s interests were heard, and her wellbeing and future safety were considered. As we faced the batterer, I offered calm and comfort to my client. Sadly, her abuser was released on a technicality, despite photo proof of physical abuse and a witness to the violence. It seemed like there was no justice. With God, there is always the best kind of justice—restorative justice.

Today we will look at several more names and roles of Jesus. Pay special attention when we get to Judge, Mediator, and Advocate.

STUDY: The Names of Jesus

Holy Servant

“And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” (Acts 4:29-30 NLT)

• This passage is found after Peter and John were released from the religious council, being instructed never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. Peter and John assured the council they would never stop telling others about what they witnessed through Jesus.
• Is there something in your life that causes you to feel squelched when it comes to sharing what God has done in your life? Ask God for great boldness.
• Peter and John were determined to continue to do the work Jesus left for them, and it would be done in Jesus’ name. Look at the name given here, Holy Servant. What does it mean to you, to think of Jesus as God’s holy servant?

Rock

And all of them drank the same spiritual water. For they drank from the spiritual rock that traveled with them, and that rock was Christ. (1 Corinthians 10:4 NLT)

• This passage is referring to the Israelites in the wilderness (history we find in the Old Testament).
• How do you see the role of Jesus as he was active in the lives of God's followers prior to his birth as a baby here on earth?
• This passage names Jesus as the Rock. When you think of Jesus this way, what does it mean to you?

Visible Image of the Invisible God, Creator, Holds all Creation Together

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. (Colossians 1:15-17 NLT)

• Can you imagine the boost to faith, for Jewish people who had followed the invisible God for years, to see a visible image of God in the form of Jesus?
• How long did Jesus exist? What was his first role as evidenced on earth and in the heavenly realms?
• Why do you think this passage emphasizes what Jesus made in the visible world and in the invisible world?
• Creation was made not only by Jesus, but for him. How does creation benefit Jesus?
• What does it mean to you that Jesus holds all creation together?

Rescuer

And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven—Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment. (1 Thessalonians 1:10 NLT)

• The believers in Greece commended the Thessalonian church for their good deeds and spreading the gospel.
• How is Jesus viewed as a rescuer in this passage?
• How do you view Jesus as rescuer in your own life?

Great High Priest

So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. (Hebrews 4:14 NLT)

• What is the role of a high priest? How did Jesus fulfill that role, and in doing so, become the Great High Priest?
• What does Jesus’ return to heaven have to do with his priestly duties?
• How does it help us hold firmly to what we believe, to know Jesus is our High Priest?

Judge

And he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all—the living and the dead. (Acts 10:42 NLT)

Mediator

For, There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT)

Advocate

My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. (1 John 2:1 NLT)

• In the above three passages, we see Jesus in a legal role. What does it mean to have Jesus as Judge?
• Jesus isn’t merely the Judge, pronouncing judgment and punishment, but he is also Mediator. In this role, what does he do?
• Jesus also is Advocate. This word means supporter, encourager, sponsor. Read the above verse and see what Jesus does as our advocate.

STEPS: Needing Jesus

1. Pick one. Which of these titles resonates most with you today? Thank Jesus for this role in your life. Be specific for how it made a difference.
2. Share one. Tell someone else the story you recalled in #1.

Copyright © 2020 Kathy Carlton Willis, used with permission.