Master Ridgley's Commentary on WLC 55 - Christ's Intercession

Help from a forgotten commentary on the Westminster Larger Catechism

In the introduction to Johannes Vos’ commentary on the Westminster Larger Catechism (WLC), Robert Godfrey writes about reading the WLC, “It is in fact easy to understand if taken one clause at a time.” This is exactly the method Vos employs in his commentary on the WLC. While there remains a plethora of commentaries on the Shorter Catechism, little published material exists on the WLC. This is a deficiency in our catechesis. The WLC was meant to educate adults and ministers of the gospel. When I studied for my ordination exams, I read it repeatedly, as I found it extremely helpful. I supplemented my reading of the WLC with Vos’ commentary, which I thought was probably the only one ever written on it. A few months back, I was talking about my love for the Larger Catechism with Rev. Terry Johnson. He asked me if I had ever read Thomas Ridgely’s book A Body of Divinity a commentary on the Westminster Larger Catechism. I had never heard of it before, so he told me I could find it for free online. Rev. Johnson gave me an excellent resource that day. Ridgely’s Body of Divinity is a lost gem the Reformed world desperately needs. In fact, though I have zero influence or audience to get their attention, this would make for an excellent republication by Reformation Heritage Books.

Westminster Larger Catechism question 55 reads, “How doth Christ make intercession?” The answer, “Christ maketh intercession, by his appearing in our nature continually before the Father in heaven, in the merit of his obedience and sacrifice on earth, declaring his will to have it applied to all believers; answering all accusations against them, and procuring for them quiet of conscience, notwithstanding daily failings, access with boldness to the throne of grace, and acceptance of their persons and service.”

Master Ridgley provides some thoughts and helpful notes which Vos lacks which is why having both ready at hand would benefit the person studying the WLC. He first demonstrates that Christ was prophesied as making intercession for transgressors. We see this in Isaiah 53:12, “he bore the sins of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors” (ESV). Also in Psalm 2:8, “Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession” (ESV). He then argues that Christ’s role as intercessor for his people is confirmed in the New Testament, “He ever lives to make intercession…” (Heb 7:25). You may be familiar with that passage, but did you know that Christ is prefigured as interceding for his people in the Old Testament, “The LORD said to Satan, ‘The LORD rebuke you, O Satan!” (Zech 3:2) We see language similar to Ps 110 with the Lord referencing the Lord.

Ridgley presents a detailed comparison of the difference between Christ’s intercession for us with the Father and our praying for one another and even ourselves. First, when we intercede with others to obtain something, we must do so by persuasion, or appeal to some obligation they owe us, or by our relationship. With God, who is unchangeable, how could we persuade and in what way is he obligated to us? In no way and with no words could we persuade him to save us. Thankfully, he loves to save those whom he loves as Jesus himself said in John 16:27, “the Father loves you.” We do not then need to persuade the Father to save us, for he ready stands to save those whom he loves and for whom his Son died. Second, We do not usually bring an offering or price to the person to intercede on our behalf. When we go to the Father on behalf of ourselves or others we bring no payment. We cannot say, “Look at my sacrifice” or “Here is my payment.” When Christ goes to the Father, he presents the merits of his obedience and sacrifice. These make his intercessions effectual where whereas ours are only effectual as they are directed to Christ who directs them to the Father on our behalf (476).

Finally, Ridgely asks us to consider “how Christ’s intercession ought to be improved by us”? First, it is a great check to the state of despair or depression brought upon by a guilty conscience. Here he encourages the faithful who is depressed to “check ourselves” and ask with the Psalmist, “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?” (Ps. 42:11) This reminds me of Martyn Lloyd-Jones excellent sermon in Spiritual Depression, where he makes a similar point that we should talk back to the accusations and guilt we feel. He even uses the same Psalm as Ridgley. Master Ridgley asks, “Why should we entertain such sad and melancholy thoughts, especially if Christ intercedes, on our behalf, for the forgiveness of all our sins?” Waves of guilt may give the sensation we are drowning, but we need only cry out to Christ to discover that we are at the shallow end of the ocean of his grace and may readily stand upon the firm foundation he provides us. Second, Christ’s intercession is improved by us as an encouragement to prayer. If he is praying for us, and his words are pure and always right, then he can take our “poor, broken, imperfect breathings” and plead our cause (480). I love Robert Murry M’Cheyne’s line about Christ praying for his people, “If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet distance makes no difference. He is praying for me.” We never pray alone. When we stumble over words, when our souls are grieved so that only groans and cries come out, when we fear God because of the greatness of our sinfulness, we may be tempted to think, “God will not listen to me.” Saints, he readily listens to your feeble babbling because it is perfected by the pure and final word of His son and presented to him as words marked by blood as holy and in need of answering. Finally, this is a great encouragement to pursue holiness. All our works shall be accepted upon Christ’s intercession.

These are just a couple of the jewels found in Master Ridgley’s commentary on the Larger Catechism. I hope it shows you the benefit of such works. We desperately need more commentary and insight on this neglected Catechism for we neglect it at our own spiritual deprivation. I plan to write in-depth on question 55 of the WLC over the next few weeks. I hope you will follow me along as we are encouraged, challenged, and filled with hope that the Savior intercedes for us.