THE ADVOCATE

 

When man goes before the ‘judgment bar’ and faces God, ‘the Judge of all’ we will each need a ‘defense attorney’ (2 Nephi 33:15; Alma 11:44; Hebrews 12:23). Being this ‘defense attorney’ is one of the Saviour’s roles we should understand and revere the most. It is the role of the Advocate.

When we stand before the Great Judge, we will be accused of being imperfect and unworthy to enter God’s presence because “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The Saviour will stand beside us as our Advocate to plead for mercy for us but with a huge difference.

In an earthly judicial system, the defense lawyer pleads the cause on the basis that the client is innocent. In the case of eternal judgment, this is an impossibility because God knows everything, therefore, he knows that there is no innocence in any of us. When the Saviour steps forward to plead our case, He will not be pointing to our lack of guilt; rather He will be bringing the Father’s attention to His own righteousness and sinless state. This is the difference. This will be the plea:

“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, the blood of Him who thou gavest that thyself might be glorified; wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life” (D&C 45:3-5; Hebrews 7:25; D&C 38:4; 110:4).

This is parental love, this is utmost protection, this is unfathomable sacrifice of a Father for His spiritually begotten children. Consider this story:

“On more than one occasion, a devoted mother pleaded with Abraham Lincoln for the life of a son who had committed a serious offense while serving in the Union forces. Often, touched by that mother’s own sacrifice for her country, Lincoln granted the pardon. Perhaps he thought, “Not for your sons’s sake, but for your sake I will pardon him”.

“Likewise, God the Father must have been deeply moved by the incomparable sacrifice of the Saviour. Like the mother who pleaded for the life of her son, the Saviour pleads for the spiritual lives of His spiritual children.” (Tad R. Callister, “The Infinite Atonement”, p 326)

Imagine the indescribable sorrow of standing before the judgment bar of God with no one to protect you and to plead for mercy for your eternal welfare and existence. Imagine standing there all alone, belonging to no one. This need never be if we just believe on His name and accept His path to salvation. He is our hope, He is the way, the truth, the life.

 

Like a bird in flight

My sins ascend to Thee;

Rising from the ashes of mortality,

They seek Thy love to set them free.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Son of Man by Chris Brazelton)