Encounters

But these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. John 20:31

Vacation Bible School was about encounters with Jesus. The definition of an encounter is an unexpected experience or meeting. The children learned that when we have an “encounter” with Jesus, our lives are changed. They learned about many encounters. Encounters that were recorded so that we would believe.

The encounter at river when Jesus was baptized. The people that were there witnessed God’s voice. After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased.” (Matthew 6:16,17)

The encounter at the tomb when Mary discovered Jesus had risen from the dead. Talk about an unexpected encounter that forever changes your life! The encounter on the road to Emmaus when they walked several miles not realizing they were listening to Jesus explain scripture. They left Jerusalem “hoping” that Jesus was the one to redeem Israel and by the end of the 7-mile journey their encounter had them so excited they immediately returned to Jerusalem to say, “The Lord has really risen!” (Luke 24:34)

The Bible records many encounters to increase our faith. It is amazing to read about the encounters of many recorded in God’s Word but the greatest of all is a personal encounter. What do you have to do to have an encounter? Pray and believe. The encounters recorded all took place when the lives of the people were consistently seeking God’s face. They weren’t necessarily expected grand things, they were just expecting God.

God is in the small things and He is in the big things. Your encounter with God will even look different than mine. Encounters with God are always at the perfect time. Encounters will always be earthshaking and overwhelming. Encounters will always be glorious and awesome. Encounters with Jesus may be brief or they may be lengthy but all are assured to be life changing! Big or small God wants to meet with you. He will show up. Will you?