Jesus as Our Advocate: Unlocking the Hidden Kingdom

Who do people say that I am? This question, posed by Jesus to his disciples, is the heart of an ongoing series exploring His identity. We've been journeying through the Gospel of John, uncovering who Jesus reveals Himself to be. Today, we focus on a profound aspect of His role: Jesus as our advocate. This term might sound unfamiliar, but its meaning is vital for understanding our access to God's Kingdom.

Understanding the Role of an Advocate

Legal Representation

Think of the TV show "JAG." The acronym stands for Judge Advocate General. In a legal sense, an advocate is a representative. They stand for a client in court. This person argues the case. They champion their client's cause. They are a legal voice for someone accused.

Biblical Sponsorship

The biblical concept of Jesus as our advocate goes deeper. It includes sponsorship. We understand sponsorship as covering expenses. A sponsor can clear debts. They grant access to exclusive areas. This person vouches for you. They provide the necessary credentials. Civilian companies often need a sponsor for government access. This is someone already inside. They can vouch for your legitimacy.

The Kingdom of God: A Hidden Realm

The Inaccessible Treasure Island Analogy

Consider the movie "Pirates of the Caribbean." There's an island called Isla de Muerta. It holds immense treasure. This treasure can break the eternal curse of the crew. However, the island is hidden. Fog shrouds it. It's not on any map. Only those who already know its location can find it. And just like that cursed crew, we bear a curse. Our sin separates us from God. Our failures hide the Kingdom of God.

The Need for an Insider

The Kingdom of God is hidden. It's not on any map. You won't find coordinates. You need someone who knows the way. More than that, you need someone from inside. Someone who belongs there already. This is the core idea: the Kingdom of God is hidden, but we have an inside man. That inside man is Jesus.

The Flawed Maps of Human Understanding

In John chapter 7, religious leaders oppose Jesus. They believe their lineage matters. They claim heritage from Abraham. They trust the Law of Moses. They see this as their map. But Abraham and Moses are not originally from God's Kingdom. They cannot sponsor entry. They cannot advocate for us in the same way Jesus can. Following their map leads them astray.

The True Originator of the Kingdom

The religious leaders are heading in the wrong direction. Their hostility towards Jesus shows this. Jesus is the true inhabitant of the Kingdom. Many think their good deeds earn them favor. They try their best. But without an advocate, they lack access. You cannot have God without Jesus. He is God. You cannot have His Kingdom without Him.

Jesus: The Man on the Inside

Asserting Supremacy Over Opposition

Pharisees hear people talking about Jesus. They dispatch officers to arrest Him. Jesus then says, "I will be with you a little longer." This is perplexing. If you're about to be arrested, you don't say that. It suggests Jesus is in control. He bypasses their plan. His authority surpasses theirs. His Kingdom is supreme.

The Unthwartable Purpose

God's plans are never thwarted. Isaiah says, "As I have planned, so it shall be." Job declared, "No purpose of yours can be thwarted." Jesus asserts His control. His plan will not fail. He is available, right in the open. He isn't just taking us to treasure. Jesus is the treasure.

The Urgency of His Presence

Jesus states, "I will be with you a little longer." This introduces urgency. Time is short. We must act now. We need to seize this opportunity. The religious leaders lack this urgency. They believe they can catch Him later. They are wrong.

Prioritizing Jesus as Supreme Treasure

"To Him Who Sent Me": Naming the Person, Not the Place

Jesus says, "I'm going to him who sent me." He doesn't name a place. He doesn't give an address. The Kingdom is not on a map. His destination is a Person: the Father. What are your life goals? Are they focused on comfort and safety? Those things aren't bad. But elevating them to ultimate goals is problematic.

Redefining Life's Goals

Jesus focuses on relationship. He is going to the Father. We should ask ourselves: what truly drives us? Many pursue good jobs and wealth. These are gifts from God. But they are not the ultimate goal. Our focus should be on relationship with Jesus.

The True Joy of Heaven: Relationship with Christ

We often describe heaven as a place without pain. It has comfort and feasting. But is Jesus present in that description? Would heaven be desirable without Him? Sometimes we seek heaven for the benefits. We want the comfort and pleasure. We might think we need "some" Jesus for that.

Jesus: The Treasure, Not the Commercial

This perspective is backwards. Jesus is not a commercial. He is not the broccoli you have to eat before you get the chocolate cake at the end of the meal. He is the treasure itself. Captain Barbosa in "Pirates of the Caribbean" sought gold all his life, but in the end, he realized that his true treasure was a person. That person asked him, “Who am I to you?” to which Barbossa responded, "Treasure." In the same way, Jesus is our treasure. You don't get Jesus to get something else. You get Jesus to get to Jesus.

The Danger of Seeking the Wrong Messiah

The Twofold Reason for Being Unfound

People will seek Jesus and not find Him. First, they seek the wrong Messiah. They want someone to overthrow oppressors. They want earthly power and prosperity. Jesus came to serve. He came to die for sins. This is not the Messiah they expected.

The Peril of Procrastination

Second, they seek Him too late. Procrastination is a dangerous habit. Don't put off important decisions. The door to salvation is open now. At death, it will be too late. Hebrews says, "It is appointed unto a man to die once. and after that comes judgment.”

"Where I Am, You Cannot Come": A Spiritual Reality

Jesus says, "Where I am, you cannot come." This isn't just about physical location. It's a spiritual reality. The Kingdom of God is spiritual. It's not bound by space. Their present rejection of Jesus prevents them from entering His Kingdom. They are rejecting Him even now where He is.

The Irony of the Jewish Dispersion

The Jews ask, "Where does this man intend to go?" They consider Him just "this man." They don't see His divinity. They wonder if He'll go to the Greek dispersion. Ironically, their persecution spreads Jesus' message. Jews were scattered everywhere. They spoke Greek. The Roman roads helped the message travel. Jesus' message did reach the Greeks, and John writing his gospel from the Greek island of Patmos is living proof that it did.

Conclusion: Embracing Jesus as Your Advocate

The Kingdom of God is a hidden kingdom. Yet, Jesus, our advocate, grants us access. Recognize Him as your supreme treasure. Prioritize your relationship with Him. Let His presence be where you most want to be. You need to sense the urgency of your need for Him. Believe today. Today is the day of salvation. Prioritize your relationship with Jesus. It's not about earning your place. It's about belief and trust. This lifts the eternal curse. It allows entry into His Kingdom.