Where can you find Jesus? That might strike you as an odd question. And there are many good answers. He is Christ in us, the hope of glory. He is seated at the right hand, enthroned on high. He dwells in unapproachable light.
Let me ask it differently. Where do people find him? In Mark 1, we're told of a busy day in Jesus' life, healing many in the town of Capernaum. The next morning he went missing. Everyone is looking for him. Where is he? "Early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed." In Matthew 14 we see a similar pattern. A great crowd of the lost and distressed have gathered to Jesus. He heals the sick and miraculously feeds the whole crowd. And then . . . "after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray." And at the end where do Judas and his rabble find Jesus? Praying on the Mount of Olives, "as was his custom."
That's where we find Jesus. And even now, resurrected, raised and enthroned he is "at the right hand of God . . . interceding for us". He is our "advocate with the Father". Where can you find Jesus? "He always lives to make intercession" for those he is saving.
Jesus' way is the way of prayer. Why? "Ask," he says, "and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." Prayer is always the answer. "The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."
This week, after we gather for a BBQ at the Atkins we have an opportunity to pray with many from the North London Relational Mission Churches. The London Calling prayer meetings have been remarkable times with the Lord. I would urge you to join us at the Church in Bassett Street on Sunday at 7.
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