The prophet Ezekiel in the Bible is a wild ride. I'm not sure how else to describe him. Ezekiel is a remarkable prophet of the Old Testament Exile.

Dr. Mark Gignilliat joins us with a message from the first chapter of Ezekiel.

Hebrews 7:25 tells us that Jesus, "...is also able to save forever those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them."

Ezekiel chapter 1 paints this incredible scene of Jesus praying for us. The scene moves from the ground up, as we see One like a man surrounded by a rainbow, Who is aflame and aglow with the mysteries of the universe. The cosmos is all around Him.

What is He doing? He is overseeing His creation. He is seeing all things toward their ultimate Redemptive purposes.

He is interceding for you and for me.

John Calvin famously said our Lord Jesus does not sit idly in heaven. He is active in heaven. What is He actively doing? Praying for His people, interceding for them, lifting them up before the throne. Jesus intercedes with His Father with knowledge, having lived in the realm of human suffering Himself.

Be encouraged with this today - Jesus is on His throne; He knows your name, He is praying for you to the Father by the Spirit, and He is reminding His Father that you are His. He has claimed you as His own. That is our only hope in life and in death.

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Dr. Mark Gignilliat is professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School, where he teaches courses in Old Testament and Hebrew, and also serves as theologian in residence at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Birmingham. Dr. Gignilliat is married to Naomi, and they have four children.