The Messiah’s sacrifice redeems first himself, then us. As the first to effect the redemption, he is rightly the “firstfruits unto God,” for he is the first product of the eternal plan by which this earth was created with the purpose of perfecting humankind. (The language of “firstfruits” is a reference to Israelite sacrificial law, Ex. 23:19.) The redemption of all others likewise comes through him.
Lehi uses “intercession,” which might be confused with the Catholic concept of saintly intercession. Christ intercedes for us because he is the means by which we may be reconciled with God. Because there is no other means to achieve this end, our redemption is the result of his intercession, not the result of his pleas on our behalf. The rest of the journey is our responsibility, a point Lehi underscores by indicating that salvation is only for “they that believe in him.”