Lawyers are everybody’s favorite target of jokes. In our increasing litigious culture they are frequently lambasted by comedians and cartoonists, and often don’t do well in surveys of professions the public holds in high regard (clergy don’t rank very high in public esteem either!).

Both my grandfather and great-grandfather, as well as my uncle, on my mother’s side were lawyers. I was brought up to revere the profession, and have had the privilege to witness some outstanding lawyers operating in court before a jury. I must admit I love watching them. A truly gifted advocate arguing a case with skill and persuasion is a thing of beauty to behold.

Not many people realize that Jesus is the Supreme Lawyer. The Bible calls Him our Mediator and Advocate. While the Church has properly emphasized the once and for all time atonement for our sins that Jesus offered on the Cross, it has often neglected another on-going aspect of His ministry to us.

“For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son,” wrote Paul, “much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” (Romans 5:10)

Jesus lives to be our ultimate Defense Attorney. His arguments on our behalf are constantly being offered before the Court of Heaven where God the Father is Judge. Who is He defending us against?

First, he defends us against ourselves. Our own sin is our accuser. It reminds us that we are unfit for admission into God’s presence. God’s holiness precludes His overlooking our transgressions because He cannot look upon sin.

Secondly, He defends us against the accuser of the brethren, Satan, whose object is to destroy us eternally.

Jesus has one argument, and it wins every time. When Satan accuses us of sin, he is right. But Jesus offers the very best defense possible, His own Blood. Jesus’ Blood shed for us on the Cross has paid the price for every sin we have ever committed or will ever commit. His atonement for us is complete and total, past, present and future.

When the accuser of the brethren presents his argument for our condemnation before the Father, Jesus steps up as our Advocate and pleads His own Blood for our acquittal. The verdict is the same for everyone who has placed their faith in Jesus. “Case dismissed. The penalty has already been paid in full!”

Paul puts it this way, “When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.” (Colossians 2:13-14)