In April of this year (2021), Faith and met Chuck and Ariel in L.A. for a week of fun. We toured Hollywood, Santa Monica Pier, and other “must see” sites. One thing I wanted to do was to visit Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank. It has the iconic sign.
I had no idea when I made pilgrimage to Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank that I would meet Quentin Tarantino. Our server informed us that many celebrities had lunch there. Jay Leno started doing a car show there, back when he hosted the Tonight Show.
I went there to eat a burger and got to meet a celebrity.
Prayer is way better than meeting a celebrity.
Mr. Tarantino was cordial, but he wouldn’t let me take a selfie with him, or give an autograph. He wasn’t there to meet with me, he was there to eat a hamburger and to work on his notes.
What I had hoped was that Quentin Tarantino would have said, “sit down here. Why don’t you tell me all about yourself. Do you have any good ideas for a movie? I’d love to hear them. How about your family? Are they here with you?”
That did not happen.
Jesus, the living Son of God, the savior of the world, God in the flesh, King of Kings, Lord of Lords – has an overwhelming desire to meet with us. Andrew Murray calls this meeting “the wonderful privilege of prayer.”
In Revelation 3, we see Jesus outside the door of His church in Laodecia. He has had some sharp words for them. They are in bad shape; they are the dictionary definition of apathy, as regarding their spiritual climate.
The famous picture of Jesus knocking at the door was taken from this verse, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20 KJV) We apply this to one’s personal salvation, but when you examine the text, you discover that Jesus is looking for someONE… just ONE that will give Him entry into the dying church, and eat a wonderful meal; to commune with Him.
Prayer is an invitation to the mercy seat. Jesus is at the right hand of the Father; the place of mercy. In the Tabernacle in the Wilderness, God had given them a beautiful portrait of intercession. “You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the Testimony that I will give you. And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim…” Exodus 25:21,22.
Its not the judgment seat He longs to meet you at, its the mercy seat!
In Revelation and in Exodus, it would appear that God is the primary speaker. He’s going to “speak with” us, He’s going to “sup” with us. All we have to do is open the door.
Maybe you view prayer as something reserved for the Spiritual Special Forces. The heart beat of prayer is one opening the door to Jesus, fully aware of our unworthiness, and receiving what He has to give us.
Jesus brings the bread, Jesus brings the beverage, Jesus brings the conversation.
This is why the writer of Hebrews said, “let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16.
Boldness is arrogance or disrespect; its confidence. The confidence isn’t in ourselves, it is in the one who has extended the invitation!
One far greater than Quentin Tarantino or Darius Walden is waiting to meet with you today! Let us pray!
I go way back with the Bob’s Big Boys of the SoCal area but whats most important is how far back Jesus has gone with me. Even though back then I was dead in my sin he still had a plan for redeeming me out of the secular tides I was riding and into his marvelous light where I reside now. His mercy on me is immeasurable. He is my king!!
thank you for this great testimony