Advocacy

[1Jn 2:1] "My little children, these things write I unto you that ye may not sin. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:"

When I started to pursue you, I can remember wishing that we had friends in common who would argue my case for me.  You didn't have any reason to listen to me, because I had no history with you to brace myself against.  But if there had been a person who knew us both, they might have spoken to you on my behalf.  The could have told you how I loved Jesus and was an honest and caring person.  Not having such a person, I had to pursue you in a way that made me feel very exposed and vulnerable.  If I messed up, there was no cause for you to pardon.  
In my job search, I have felt the same way.  If only I had a friend who was hiring!  If only my colleagues at the church could put me together with their contacts!  Because in an interview, it's the same thing - I am making a case with no history to confirm my evidence, no context to excuse misstatements.  The word "advocate" came to me today, after reading the email I received this morning from Jake Wade.  He wrote warmly and briefly about how he would push for my employment.  It was such a feeling of encouragement and thanks.
John says that Jesus is our advocate to the Father.  Jesus, who knows us intimately, and knows God the Father, is arguing on our behalf.  We come to the Father with sin-stained lives and unrighteous deeds and thoughts, and Jesus says "Father, he's with me.  I vouch for him."  He's our advocate.  I get it now.  It's beautiful.

- J