Encountering Jesus – Have you personally encountered Jesus?
Encountering Jesus as a baby or child face to face would have definitely been a unique and glorious experience. I try to put myself in the place of each of these as it happened. What must it really have been like?
John the Baptist
Luke 1:41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe (John the Baptist) leaped in her womb; …
John leaped in his mother’s womb, maybe himself filled with the Holy Ghost. Even as a child in the womb He knew Jesus was the Savior. Parents, talk to your children even before they are born telling them the good news of the Savior who came to save them from their sins.
Elizabeth
Luke 1:41 …and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
Can you even imagine what it must have been like to actually be there when the Savior was conceived and then to be the relative of the one carrying Him? What an overwhelming thought! Elisabeth believed that Jesus was the Savior and His presence at that moment caused her to be filled with the Holy Ghost! The Savior lives in my heart and I ought to be filled with the Holy Spirit continually. Don’t quench the spirit, but be filled with Him; speak to yourselves in Psalms and hymns, encourage one another in the Lord
Luke 1:45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. – The more I spend time with the Savior, the more I will believe the things He tells me in His Word.
Zacharias
Luke 1:68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
Zacharias, the husband of Elisabeth, encountered Jesus as a babe and realized that He was the redeemer sent to save His people.
Mary
Luke 1:47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
Mary recognized that she too needed a Savior. She knew that Jesus was her Savior too. She may have been the mother of Jesus, but she too was a sinner and needed to put her trust in Jesus as her Savior.
Luke 2:19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. – As you spend time with the Savior, think about Him, meditate on His Word, Get to know Him more and more. There is always something to ponder in your hearts when it comes to knowing Jesus.
Joseph
Matthew 1:20-21 … for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Joseph was told from the beginning of the conception of Jesus not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife. The child within her was of the Holy Ghost. What an emotional time this must have been for Joseph. He too, believed and did as the Lord told him. He too knew that Jesus must be His Savior.
Joseph and Mary
Luke 2:33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
Both Joseph and Mary marveled at things spoken about Jesus. Do I marvel when I read and meditate on God’s Word, realizing who He is and what He has done for me and what He can do for anyone! …BEHOLD, THE LAMB OF GOD WHICH TAKETH AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD John 1:29
Shepherds
Luke 2:16-17 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
Do I come with haste and excitement every day to meet my Savior? If I seek Him I’ll find Him and He will continually reveal Himself to me through His Word. It should so fill me with excitement that I want to share His Word with everyone!
Luke 2:20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. There’ve been times when I got so excited about what God has done that I have shouted glory to God! Praise the Lord! But you know what? His presence ought to cause me to do that all the time. Praise ought to be continually in my mouth.
Simeon
Luke 2:30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
What a special blessing! God revealed to Simeon that he would not die until He has seen the Savior. He believed and it happened. Do I believe what God tells me? Do I believe even though I may not see the result at that instant? What a lesson!
Anna
Luke 2:38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
Here’s another lady who believed God! That’s the key! Trust and then obey! He will fulfill His word. She too knew He was the Savior. She was not ashamed to speak of Him to everyone. He was the redeemer!
Wisemen
Matthew 2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
Where is He? Where is He? Am I seeking Him every day? These wisemen sought Him until they found Him. They too must have believed God’s Word. They would not give up until they found the Messiah. Friend, don’t give up seeking the Lord. He has so much for us. Fall on your knees an worship Him. He is the only one worthy of our praise.
Matthew 2:10-11 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him:
My time with the Savior ought to cause me to rejoice with exceeding great joy! EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ the newborn King! Worship Christ the King of Kings!
And when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
Present your gifts to Him daily!
Give Him your time, your talents, your treasures.
There is nothing this world has to offer that will satisfy, but giving to my Lord and Savior will bring true peace and satisfaction.
Religious leaders in the temple
Luke 2:46-47 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
Are you a Christian leader? Have you heard what Jesus has to say to you? You can find answers in His Word. Does it astonish you when you see what the Lord has to offer? I’m afraid it doesn’t me enough. There are times I am awed and overwhelmed with the Lord and His goodness and His Word, but it ought to be more than just times. It ought to be always! Don’t trust in yourself to lead or counsel others. Instead let us trust God, our Savior, sent to all mankind, who only can give us wisdom, understanding and answers.
Friend, have you encountered Jesus?
Have you encountered Him first of all as a babe in the manger sent by God Himself?
Have you encountered Him as THE SON OF GOD, who was born to die for the sins of the world?
Have you encountered Him as your own Savior so that you can know His presence every day and live an abundant life?
Let this be the merriest Christmas of all as you worship Christ the Savior, as you ponder in your heart who He is, as you rejoice exceedingly in Him, worship Him, proclaim the good news to everyone, and present your gifts daily to Him.
