When on earth he made intercession for his people (Luke 23:34; John 17:20; Hebrews 5:7 ); but now he exercises this function of his priesthood in heaven, where he is said to appear in the presence of God for us (Hebrews 9:12,24 ).
His advocacy with the Father for his people rests on the basis of his own all-perfect sacrifice. Thus he pleads for and obtains the fulfilment of all the promises of the everlasting covenant (1 John 2:1; John 17:24; Hebrews 7:25 ). He can be "touched with the feeling of our infirmities," and is both a merciful and a faithful high priest (Hebrews 2:17,18; 4:15,16 ). This intercession is an essential part of his mediatorial work. Through him we have "access" to the Father (John 14:6; Ephesians 2:18; 3:12 ). "The communion of his people with the Father will ever be sustained through him as mediatorial Priest" (Psalm 110:4; Revelation 7:17 ).