The Bible teaches that Jesus intercedes for us before the Father (Romans 8:34) and that He is the one Mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5). It also says: “He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25).
At first glance, this may sound like two separate “persons,” as if Jesus were standing apart from God and pleading with Him. But the biblical testimony is clear: there is only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4). Intercession and mediation do not mean separation of beings. Rather, they show how the one God reveals Himself—through His Word made flesh (Jesus) and through His Spirit.
The King and His Word
“By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.” (Psalm 33:6)
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:1,14)
A king speaks through his royal decree. When the decree reaches the people, it seems as if the decree “intercedes” between the king and the subjects, explaining his will and granting mercy. Yet the decree is not another person—it is the king’s own word. In the same way, Jesus as the Word of God intercedes, but He is not separate from God.
The Advocate and the Judge
“We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (1 John 2:1)
“Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” (Romans 8:34)
A wise judge writes a law but also provides an advocate to defend the accused. The advocate and the judge are working together, but in truth both roles express the same justice and mercy of the one judge. Likewise, Christ is our Advocate—not because He is separate, but because God Himself provides the defense we need.
The Teacher and His Explanation
“No one has ever seen God; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.” (John 1:18)
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5)
A teacher writes a textbook. Later, the same teacher gives explanations so the students can understand. The explanation “mediates” between the difficult text and the student. Yet the explanation is not a separate teacher—it is the teacher himself helping in another way. Jesus as Mediator is God making Himself understandable to man.
The Father and His Hand
“Your right hand, O LORD, has become glorious in power; Your right hand, O LORD, has dashed the enemy in pieces.” (Exodus 15:6)
“He always lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25)
A father reaches out his hand to lift his child from danger. The child may say, “Your hand saved me.” In one sense, the hand is distinct in action, but it is not another person—it is the father himself acting through his hand. Christ interceding is like God’s own hand stretched toward us—He always lives to rescue and uphold those who come to Him.
The Author and His Pen
“My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.” (Psalm 45:1)
An author writes a comforting letter to someone in distress. The pen “mediates” between the author and the reader, yet the pen is not a separate being—it is the author’s own instrument of communication. In the same way, Jesus mediates God’s mercy to us, but He is God’s own self-expression, not another being.
Paul’s Courtroom Language and One God
Paul often uses legal or courtroom terms to describe the work of Christ:
Intercessor: “Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus… is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us” (Romans 8:34).
Mediator: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).
Advocate: “We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1).
In Roman law, a defendant often needed an advocate to speak on his behalf before a judge. Paul uses this imagery to show that Christ represents us. But he never teaches two separate gods in conflict. Instead, the same God who is Judge is also our Advocate and Mediator.
Just as a judge who writes the law can also provide mercy within the same court, so God is both the one who requires holiness and the one who supplies grace through His Word and Spirit. Paul’s language does not divide God into “persons,” but shows the richness of how the one God acts for our salvation.
Conclusion
When the Bible says Jesus intercedes or mediates, it does not mean He is a separate being apart from God. It means God Himself has provided His Word (the Son) and His Spirit to bridge the gap between divine holiness and man. These actions show God’s compassion, not division.
So the picture is not of different “persons” in the modern sense, but of one God acting in relational ways—as Father, Word (Son), and Spirit—to bring salvation to His people.