Encountering Jesus

The apostle Paul was a great evangelist, missionary, and theologian. He was a great man of God, but what was it that drove him? What was in his life that caused him to fulfill the purposes of God?

In Acts 9, Paul had a revelation and an encounter with Jesus. “As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ And he said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Then the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ So he, trembling and astonished, said, ‘Lord, what do you want me to do?’ Then the Lord said to him, ‘Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do’” (Acts 9:3-6, NKJV).

There is a difference between an experience and an encounter with Jesus. Some people have had an experience with an invitation to the altar, in prayer, or even in baptism. That’s great, but in a world full of wickedness, brokenness, and depression, what people need is an encounter with Jesus.

Paul was on his way to persecute Christians. He came near Damascus, and suddenly, a light shone around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say, “Saul, why do you persecute me?” He had an amazing encounter with Jesus.

Do you see the difference? Many today have all the trappings of religion and church, but they miss the greatest thing about Christianity. An experience is great, but when you fall on your knees before God, you have an encounter. It is all about the presence of Jesus.

“Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank” (Acts 9:8-9).

When you encounter Jesus, he begins to turn your whole world around. This is what happened to Paul, and it was the beginning of his Christian life. An encounter with the presence of Jesus changes everything. It moves you to become more like him, his chosen vessel, to fulfill God’s purposes in the world.

^{John Bailey is the Vice President of World Challenge Inc. and the Founding Pastor of The Springs Church in Jacksonville, Florida. John has been serving the Lord in pastoral ministry for 35 years, ministering the gospel in over 50 nations, particularly as a pastor and evangelist in Cork, Ireland.}