ssion of that High Priest who was once
manifested to bear the sin of many, and who now appears in the presence
of God for us.

(3) In the days of His flesh, He pleaded for His _Church_, as in the
sublime intercessory prayer of chapter xvii.; for _individuals_, as
when He said, "Simon, Simon, Satan hath desired to have you that he may
sift you as wheat; but I have prayed for thee"; and for _the world_, as
when He first assumed His High-priestly functions, saying from His
cross, "Father, forgive them; they know not what they do." Thus He
pleads still. For Zion's sake He does not hold His peace, and for
Jerusalem's sake He does not rest. For His Church, for individual
believers, for thee and me, He says in heaven, as on earth, "Father, I
pray for them." Perennially from His lips pours out a stream of tender
supplication and entreaty. This is the river that makes glad the city
of God. Anticipating coming trial; interposing when the cobra-coil is
beginning to encircle us; pitying us when the sky is overcast and
lowering; not tiring or ceasing, though we are heedless and unthankful;
He pleads on the mountain brow through the dark hours, whilst we sleep.

(4) These intercessions are further stimulated by our love and
obedience. "If ye love Me, keep My commandments, _and_ I will pray the
Father." He looks on us, and where love is yearning to love more
fully, and obedience falters in its high endeavors, He prays yet more
eagerly, that grace may be given us to be what we long to be. He prays
for those who do not pray for themselves; but He is even more intent on
the perfecting of those who are the objects of His special interest,
because of their loyalty and love--"I pray for them; I pray not for the
world."

(5) His special petition is that we may receive the gift of Pentecost.
"I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter." It
would almost seem as though He spent the mysterious ten days between
His ascension and Pentecost in special intercession that His Church
might be endued with power from on high. The pleading Church on earth
and the pleading Saviour in heaven were at one. The two voices agreed
in perfect symphony, and Pentecost was the Father's answer. The
Saviour prayed to the Father, and He gave another Comforter. Nor has
He ceased in this sublime quest. It is not improbable that every
revival of religion, every fresh and deeper baptism of the Spirit,
every new infilling of individual