Advocate

Due to "inclement weather," preschool was closed today. After exhausting all available, kid-friendly options at our local mall, we decided to tackle our homework on this cold, "snow day." I say, "snow day" because there was/is NO snow......no really...there was/is no snow...at all!! It is, however, around 20 degrees though!

Anyway, the twins had to create a "family Christmas tree" for preschool. We decided our theme would be "the names of Jesus" in honor of his birthday. Obviously, we just used a few of the MANY names for him mentioned in scripture. Brady was very concerned that we did not include "Jehovah" because he loves the song "Days of Elijah" and the chorus repeats "There's no God like Jehovah....over and over." The name we spent the most time discussing was "Advocate." 1 John 2:1,1 says, "My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world."

The dictionary defines an advocate as: One that argues for a cause; a supporter or defender: an advocate of civil rights.
2. One that pleads in another's behalf; an intercessor
3. A lawyer.

We talked about when people accept Jesus as their Savior, he becomes their advocate. Because we could never be nice enough......or good enough....... or follow the rules enough....Jesus stands in our place and defends us. When we believe in him and place our trust in him, his work on the cross allows him to simply say, "This person is one of mine" and his grace completely covers the "bad stuff" we have done. He defends us, redeems us and intercedes for us!!

"Because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:2

" having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross." Colossians 2:14

"For the law never made anything perfect. But now we have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God." Hebrews 7:19

My sweet Brady said, "Mommy, we should make one of these for everyone and put it in their mailboxes so they will know who Jesus is and that it is his birthday!"

That we should Brady......that......we should.....

Praying that this season (and always) you will understand what it means to have Christ as your "advocate."

“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life." John 5:24