A true encounter with Christ will Forever Change Your Life!
One of the most captivating stories in the Holy Bible is the account of the two men on the Road to Emmaus who had an extraordinary encounter with the resurrected Messiah. This story is found in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 24:13-35). This is one of my favorite stories in the Holy Bible!
According to the narrative, these two men were disciples of Y’shua, and they were traveling from Jerusalem to Emmaus, a village about seven miles away. They were deeply saddened and discouraged because of the crucifixion and death of Jesus, whom they had believed to be the long-awaited Messiah.
As they walked, a stranger joined them on the journey and little did they know that the stranger was actually Jesus himself, though their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. Jesus engaged them in conversation and asked about the things that troubled them. They poured out their hearts, explaining their disappointment and confusion regarding the events surrounding Jesus’ crucifixion.
In response, Jesus began to explain the Scriptures to them, starting from the Old Testament, showing how the Messiah must suffer before entering into his glory. He unveiled the prophetic passages that pointed to him as the promised Messiah.
As they reached their destination, the two men urged the stranger to stay with them for the evening. During their shared meal, Jesus took bread, blessed it, and broke it, mirroring the Last Supper. In that moment, their eyes were opened, and they recognized Jesus for who he truly was—the resurrected Messiah. Overwhelmed with joy and amazement, the two disciples realized that their hearts had burned within them as Jesus had explained the Scriptures to them on the road. They immediately returned to Jerusalem to share the news of their encounter with the other disciples.
The story of the two men on the Road to Emmaus is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it demonstrates Jesus’ ability to open the eyes of his followers to recognize Him and understand the truths of Scripture. It also highlights the importance of Jesus’ death and resurrection as fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. Furthermore, it shows the transformative power of encountering the living Christ, as the disciples’ sadness and confusion turned into joy and conviction. This story encourages believers to seek a deeper understanding of Scripture and to open their hearts to encounter the risen Christ in their own lives, allowing him to reveal himself and bring about transformation, hope, and joy.
Numerous individuals in the Holy Bible had encounters with Jesus. Here are some notable examples:
- The Disciples: Jesus selected twelve disciples to be his closest followers. They had frequent interactions and encounters with him throughout his ministry. Some of the well-known disciples include Peter, James, John, Andrew, and Judas Iscariot.
- Nicodemus: Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish ruling council. He approached Jesus at night and had a conversation with him about spiritual matters, leading to Jesus’ famous statement, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
- Samaritan Woman at the Well: Jesus encountered a Samaritan woman while she was drawing water from a well. He engaged in a conversation with her, revealing his knowledge of her personal history and offering her the “living water” that leads to eternal life (John 4:1-42).
- Mary and Martha: Jesus had a close relationship with Mary and Martha, sisters of Lazarus. On one occasion, Martha was busy with preparations while Mary sat at Jesus’ feet, listening to his teaching. This led to Jesus affirming Mary’s choice and highlighting the importance of focusing on spiritual matters (Luke 10:38-42).
- Zacchaeus: Zacchaeus was a tax collector who climbed a tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus passing by. Jesus noticed him and invited himself to Zacchaeus’ house, resulting in a life-changing encounter for Zacchaeus, who pledged to give half of his possessions to the poor and repay those he had cheated (Luke 19:1-10).
- Mary Magdalene: Mary Magdalene was a devoted follower of Jesus. She was present at his crucifixion and was one of the first witnesses of his resurrection. Jesus appeared to her after his resurrection, leading her to proclaim the good news to the disciples (John 20:11-18).
- Saul (later known as Paul): Saul, a Pharisee, had a dramatic encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. He was blinded by a light from heaven and heard Jesus speaking to him. This encounter transformed Saul’s life, leading to his conversion and becoming one of the most influential apostles of Jesus, known as Paul (Acts 9:1-19).
The story of Blind Bartimaeus having an encounter with Jesus is found in the Bible. The account is recorded in the Gospel of Mark 10:46-52 (NIV): “Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and His disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means ‘son of Timaeus’), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him.’
So, they called to the blind man, ‘Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.’ Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ Jesus asked him. The blind man said, ‘Rabbi, I want to see.’ ‘Go,’ said Jesus, ‘your faith has healed you.’ Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.”
This story illustrates how Bartimaeus, despite being blind, recognized Jesus as the Messiah and cried out to Him for mercy. Bartimaeus’s persistence in calling out to Jesus caught His attention, and Jesus, acknowledging Bartimaeus’s faith, healed him of his blindness. This encounter with Jesus transformed Bartimaeus’s life, restoring his sight and leading him to become a follower of Jesus. It demonstrates Jesus’s compassion, power, and willingness to respond to those who seek Him with genuine faith.
These are just a few examples of the many individuals who had encounters with Jesus in the Holy Bible. Each encounter played a significant role in their personal journeys and had a profound impact on their faith and understanding of Jesus’ teachings.
When an individual has a personal encounter with Jesus, it can have profound and revolutionary effects on their life. While the specific experience may vary from person to person, here are some common aspects of what can happen during and after such an encounter:
- Spiritual Awakening: A personal encounter with Jesus often leads to a spiritual awakening or a deepening of one’s faith. It can bring a heightened awareness of God’s presence, love, and grace, drawing you closer to Him.
- Conviction of Sin: Encountering Jesus can bring a deep awareness of one’s own sinfulness and the need for forgiveness. This conviction can lead to repentance and a desire to turn away from sinful behaviors and attitudes.
- Forgiveness and Salvation: Jesus’ encounter often brings a profound sense of forgiveness and redemption. By acknowledging Jesus as the Savior, individuals can experience the assurance of their sins being forgiven and being reconciled with God.
- Transformation: A personal encounter with Jesus has the power to transform a person’s life. It can bring about a change in priorities, values, and behaviors. This transformation is often accompanied by a desire to live according to Jesus’ teachings and to cultivate virtues such as love, compassion, forgiveness, and humility.
- Relationship with Jesus: Encountering Jesus can foster a personal and intimate relationship with Him. It involves ongoing communication, prayer, and a desire to know Him more deeply. This relationship provides guidance, comfort, and a sense of purpose and belonging.
- Empowerment by the Holy Spirit: Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to empower and guide His followers. An encounter with Jesus can lead to a greater openness and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s work in one’s life. This can result in spiritual gifts, increased faith, and a desire to serve and make a positive impact in the world. Also win souls for the Kingdom of God.
- Joy, Peace, and Hope: Encountering Jesus brings an unspeakable joy, supernatural peace, great grace and hope. Despite life’s challenges and uncertainties, individuals find comfort and assurance in their relationship with Jesus and in the promises of eternal life.
It’s important to note that encounters with Jesus can happen in various ways, ranging from a supernatural spiritual experience to a gradual unfolding of faith through studying the Holy Bible, prayer, and community involvement. Ultimately, the encounter with Jesus is a deeply personal and life-changing experience that can eternally change a person’s life.