Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7:23-25 (NIV)
Sparks fly upward by nature but the sinful souls of humans fall downward. Because of our sinful nature still clinging to us even after we have come to know the Lord Jesus as our Savior, we need an advocate, one who will intercede on our behalf before God when we fall. Thankfully, we have one in Jesus. He not only came and died for our sins but He now lives to intercede for them at the right hand of the Father. As He prayed for Peter when Satan asked to sift him as wheat, He prays or us as well that our faith will not fail. How like Jesus Who now upon His throne in glory continues to spend His power for His people.
While the Holy Spirit empowers us to walk in a manner worthy of our Lord, Christ carries on the work of Intercession. Jesus will see us through every trail and hardship until the very end – He loses none of His sheep but saves them completely. Our state would be a desperate one indeed if the Lord Jesus did not undertake to plead our cause. Every moment we are dependent upon Him and all we have are gifts from His hand. To this Sovereign we owe all. What a Friend we have in Jesus!
Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Romans 8:33-34 (NIV)