Encounters With Jesus Uzorak

Encountering Jesus  

When we “encounter” something, we are coming face-to-face with it. More specifically, Merriam-Webster says, to encounter is “to come upon or experience especially unexpectedly.”

Whether it was Paul on the road to Damascus, the Samaritan woman at the well, or the demon-possessed man on the shores of Galilee, those who encountered Jesus were changed in unexpected ways.

As we read through the four gospel accounts, there were certainly many who followed Jesus from a distance. Some were amazed by his miracles while others were offended by his teachings. What we find very little of is neutrality or indifference. People either loved or hated this carpenter’s son who hailed from Nazareth.

In Luke 24, we see an interesting encounter between the resurrected Jesus and two of his followers as they were walking from Jerusalem to the town of Emmaus. Luke tells us that “Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them” (Luke 24:15).

And then in verse 16 we read, “But God kept them from recognizing him.”

For the next several miles, the Son of God in disguise proceeds to give the troubled travelers a Bible lesson reminding them of all that the Scriptures had predicted concerning the Messiah.

Whatever Jesus shared with them on the journey was enough to whet the appetites of this pair. They wanted to hear more from their new mystery friend, so they invited him to crash at their place for the night.

Sitting at the dinner table, Jesus took some bread and blessed it before breaking it and giving it to the oblivious hosts. And then it happened:

“Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!” (Luke 24:31).

Poof! Gone in sixty-hundredths of a second. I can almost visualize Jesus, twinkle in his eye, flashing a knowing grin just prior to his exit. It was all they needed to be filled with hope.

With the freshly broken bread still in their hands, they asked, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32).

It’s my hope that over these five days, we’ll notice our own hearts burning within us as we walk with Jesus. Perhaps we’ll find ourselves having a deeper desire to draw closer to the Son as we encounter Him in unexpected ways. 

Reflection: Do you recall a moment when you encountered Jesus in a life-changing way?