“Where Is He?”

John 7:11

Everyone knew that the Lord Jesus would be at Jerusalem during the feast of tabernacles. The whole city seems to have been buzzing with this question. Some sought him to kill him, others to make him a king. Some were curious about him. Some wanted to see his miracles, some to hear his doctrine, and some to experience his grace. Are you interested in knowing where the Lord Jesus Christ is today? Are you concerned about finding him for yourself?

The Word of God tells us plainly where he is. The Lord Jesus Christ is in the bosom of the Father (John 1:18). He is the center of heaven. He is the glory of glory. (Read Rev. 4 and 5). He is on the throne of universal dominion (John 17:2; Rom. 14:9). There he sits in the serenity of total sovereignty. There he must reign until he has made all his foes his footstool. Jesus Christ is Lord of all forever! He is at the right hand of the majesty on high, in the place of representation and advocacy as our great High Priest (Rom. 8:27, 34). The Lord Jesus Christ is on the throne of grace, dispensing mercy to helpless, guilty, needy sinners. The Son of God is within the reach of needy sinners like you and me. He is a God accessible to all who seek him (Heb. 4:15-16).

I have found by experience that the Lord Jesus will be found of all who seek him. I have found him at the mercy-seat when, in the closet of my heart, I have cried to him in secret prayer (Isa. 65:24), in his Word (John 5:39; Lk. 24:44-47), in the assemblies of his people (Matt. 18:20), at his Table, in the bread and in the wine, and in the field of his service (Matt. 28:18-20). As we serve the interests of his kingdom, his people, his gospel, and his glory, as we seek to do his will and honor his name, as we endeavor to serve the souls of men, as we try to serve our generation by the will of God, our Savior says, “I am with you always!” He is with us in sympathy to guide us, strengthen us, protect us, and to make our way prosperous and successful, according to the will of God. I have found him in every fiery furnace of trial, lion’s den of persecution, storm of difficulty, and river of woe to which I have been exposed. I have been a lot of places. I have experienced a lot of things. I have known a few troubles along the way. But I have never been in any place of need without him who is my Rock and my Salvation (Isa. 43:1-5). I have always found my Redeemer to be a God at hand (Phil. 4:4-7).

Don Fortner