Place of our Pleader

“Plead my cause, and deliver me… according to Thy judgments… according to Thy lovingkindness” (Psalm 119:154-159).   “He brought me to the temple… made with cherubim and palm trees, so that a palm tree was between a cherub and a cherub; and every cherub had two faces; so that the face of a man was toward the palm tree on the one side, and the face of a young lion toward the palm tree on the other side: it was made through all the house round about… on the wall of the temple” (Ezekiel 41:1-20).  “Give this Man place” (Luke 14:9). 

How eloquent is Christ our Pleader

Who pleads our cause with truth and grace!
He is our Champion and Leader:
Behold the beauty of His face! 

We cannot plead our innocence;

For we are sinners, as are all,
But God is pleading our defense,
As seen upon His temple wall!

The faces of the cherubim

Upon the temple walls engraved
Display the attributes of Him
Who justifies each one He saved.

The lion’s face depicts Him holy

With judgment He has satisfied. 
The human face displays Him lowly,
The Man who in our place has died. 

The palm tree stands between these two

Throughout the temple thus repeated. 
Our adversary knows it’s true:
Our Pleader cannot be defeated!

We are the palm tree that is flanked  

By grace and truth from Jesus Christ.
He shall forevermore be thanked,
Since He for us was sacrificed!

Shall not these portraits give us pause

To ponder thus our Savior’s plan, 
And since He pleaded thus our cause,
Shall not we “give place to this Man?”

O come, Lord, take the place that’s first

That You may be preeminent!
You rescued us who once were cursed,
And our defense was Your intent.

Lord, thank You these portraits shown

On temple walls of Your salvation.
Now take the place You rightly own,
Enthroned in hearts of adoration!