"My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world."
**1 John 2:1-3**
A few weeks ago, I was able to attend Advocacy Day at the Missouri capitol in Jefferson City. As a social work student, I was given this opportunity and immediately jumped at the chance. While I love many areas of social work, the work of policy, legislation, and the government are not quite up to par when compared to other skills and knowledge. While there, I met some politicians, lobbyists, and representatives. Other than their outdated suites and fake smiles, one thing they all had in common were their role as advocates.
Advocate = a person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy
As a future social worker, one of the many hats we wear is the advocate. We fight for the causes of the vulnerable. We give a voice to the meek. We empower the powerless. We shine a light on the forgotten and we justify the victims. As an advocate, we take the pain, suffering, and hurts of others and find a way to defend them.
At Advocacy Day this year, there was a Disability Rights rally in the capitol while we were there. As I stood and watched people get so passionate over a cause, I couldn't help but think about Jesus as my own advocate. One after another, people stood up to defend each other and to fight for justice. In 1 John 2, Jesus Christ Himself is called our advocate.
Here's what I envision when I think of Jesus as my advocate...
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I picture Jesus standing at a podium before the Righteous Judge, His Father, and me standing guilty beside Jesus in a courtroom. God is sitting so high and powerful before us that I seem like a tiny fleck in His presence. A long list is before Jesus, and as soon as I realize what this list is, I get sick to my stomach. These are my sins. One by one, my sins are revealed out loud to the face of God. I cannot even look up into His eyes because of my shame. But for some reason, God's face never changes. As a Perfect Judge, I would expect some angry, wrath, or punishment to be brewing in God's mind...but I never see it as I cautiously look up from the floor. Because when Jesus finishes reading my list, the next words bring me to my knees. As I await my sentencing, Jesus takes my hand to steady my nerves. He simply says, "Father, the wages of sin are death, but it is finished."
IT IS FINISHED.
After my sins have been read, I can hardly stand to be in the same room as two so Holy. I cannot believe the wrongs I have allowed myself to do throughout my 22 years of life. I am so embarrassed to stand in front of God that I want to literally run away and hide in a hole. But then Jesus says, "it is finished." And as I look up to make sure it's real, God says the last thing I would expect Him to ever say at this time..."Well done, my good and faithful servant."
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Are you like me and cannot even imagine this? After all I've done, He says "good job" and that's it? I don't get a lecture? I don't at least get a slap on the hand?
No.
It is finished.
The "well done" is not because of anything single thing that I have accomplished or earned. There is nothing I can do to earn forgiveness or earn more of it. I can stand confidently before God because of my advocate. The one who pleads, begs, and fights for me and my cause...my salvation and my heart. Each and every day, Jesus stands next to the Father and advocates for me. Every time I sin, it's like Jesus is reminding the Judge, "forgive her Father, for I take her sin and it is finished. Let me have her sins. Let me have her baggage. Let me have her pain. I have already won her life through My death on the Cross."
Today is Good Friday and the thought of Jesus as my advocate is burning in my mind and heart. Jesus fights for me every day, but no fight was greater than His defeat of sin and death. My list of sins is far too long, yet He takes my hand and says "it is finished." When I realize this like I do now, I cannot hold back the tears of thankfulness. When I stand before God, I will hear the words I have always longed for, but it will not be because of me. When God says "well done," He will be thinking of His Son but looking at me. He will be looking at me with His grace-filled eyes with the love of His Son in His heart.
It is finished.
