QUESTION:
HOW TO PERSONALLY ENCOUNTER JESUS?
ANSWER:
To personally encounter Jesus, you must return to God with a sincere heart, receive His Spirit through faith, and open His Word with expectation—because He is alive and still drawing near today.
When Jesus Christ died on the cross at Calbury, it was not just a historical event—it was the greatest act of love and sacrifice the world has ever known. He laid down His life as a ransom for our sins, fulfilling what no animal sacrifice could ever do: reconciling sinful humanity to a holy God.
“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.” (1 Peter 3:18)
But it didn’t end there. On the third day, Jesus rose from the dead, defeating sin and death forever. He is alive today and forevermore.
“I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen.” (Revelation 1:18)
Before ascending to heaven, Jesus gave His followers a promise:
“And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
Jesus has promised to be with us. The question now is: How can we have a personal encounter with Jesus?
1. Jesus Personally Appeared to Many After His Resurrection
The resurrected Jesus did not ascend into heaven immediately. For forty days, He revealed Himself personally and intentionally to individuals and groups—proving that He is alive and still desires personal relationships with people. Here are the biblical records of His appearances:
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To Mary Magdalene at the tomb, where He called her by name (John 20:11–18).
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To a group of women who held His feet and worshiped Him (Matthew 28:8–10).
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To two disciples on the road to Emmaus, where their hearts burned as He opened the Scriptures (Luke 24:13–35).
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To Peter, separately from the rest of the disciples (Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5).
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To ten of His disciples on the evening of the resurrection, where He said, “Peace be with you” (John 20:19–23).
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To all eleven disciples, including Thomas, a week later (John 20:24–29).
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To seven disciples by the Sea of Galilee, where He cooked breakfast for them (John 21:1–14).
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To the eleven disciples on a mountain in Galilee, where He gave the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16–20).
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To over five hundred believers at once (1 Corinthians 15:6).
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To James, His earthly brother, who became a leader in the church (1 Corinthians 15:7).
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To all the apostles before His ascension (Acts 1:3–11).
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To Paul on the road to Damascus, who was converted and called into apostleship (Acts 9:1–6; 1 Corinthians 15:8).
These encounters were real, physical, and transformational. Jesus didn’t appear as a ghost or a dream—He appeared in flesh and glory, changing lives forever. And He still appears to hearts today, through the Holy Spirit and His living Word.
2. Jesus Promised the Helper Who Would Be with Us Forever
Before His crucifixion, Jesus gave His disciples an extraordinary promise: He would send someone who would not only be with them but dwell in them. This promise is the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus referred to as the “Helper” (Greek: Paraklētos), meaning advocate, comforter, counselor, or one who comes alongside to help.
But we must understand that the Holy Spirit has a different relationship with the unbelieving world. For those who do not yet believe, the Spirit’s role is to convict the heart of sin, righteousness, and judgment.
“And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” (John 16:8)
However, true fellowship with the Holy Spirit is a privilege granted only to those who belong to Jesus—those who have been born again and sealed by His Spirit.
“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth… you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” (John 14:16–17)
The phrase “another Helper” (allos Paraklētos) indicates that the Holy Spirit is of the same divine nature as Jesus—His co-equal, sent to be with us in His stead. The Spirit does not merely replace Jesus; He comes to carry on the very presence and work of Jesus in the hearts and lives of believers.
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” (John 14:26)
3. How Will the Holy Spirit Dwell in Us?
In these days and age, we can still personally encounter the Lord Jesus—through His co-equal Holy Spirit, whom He promised to send. The question is: how?
The answer begins with salvation. When a person repents and believes in the Lord Jesus Christ, he is not only forgiven but also sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.
“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.” (Ephesians 1:13)
“Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” (2 Corinthians 1:21–22)
The Holy Spirit is God’s mark of ownership and the guarantee of our inheritance. He is not just with us—He comes to dwell in us. As Paul declared:
“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19)
Every true believer becomes the dwelling place of God through the Spirit. Jesus lives in us by His Spirit. This is how we can experience Him personally and intimately every day.
4. The Big Question: Are You Saved?
Everything begins with this: Are you truly saved? Have you repented and placed your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ?
The only way to encounter Jesus and receive the Holy Spirit is by responding to the Gospel. Salvation is a gift of grace from God, not something we can earn. But we must receive it through repentance and belief.
“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.” (Acts 3:19)
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31)
If you’re not yet sure that you are saved—or if you want to learn how—you can read our full article: “How Can I Get Saved?”
Now is the time to make things right with God.
5. You Can Also Meet Jesus Through the Word of God
One of the most overlooked ways to encounter Jesus today is through the written Word of God—especially when you open it with faith. The Bible is not just a book of moral lessons—it is the living testimony of Jesus Christ Himself.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:1,14)
Every page of Scripture ultimately points to Him. He is the central figure from Genesis to Revelation. When you open the Bible with a sincere and prayerful heart, it is as though you are speaking to Jesus face to face.
Just as He revealed Himself to the disciples on the road to Emmaus through the Scriptures, He will also reveal Himself to you. Many people have encountered Jesus personally while reading His Word—because He is the Word.
“These are the Scriptures that testify about Me.” (John 5:39)
So, when you read your Bible, in faith, expect an encounter. Open your heart, and He will meet you there.
To learn more about how God speaks to us through the Bible, visit our article: “How Do I Know That God is Talking to Me Through the Bible?”
Final Thought
Jesus is not a distant figure of history. He is the risen Lord, present and active even today. And He is calling out to every heart:
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20)
The Lord Jesus is knocking on the door of your heart. All you need to do is respond—by making a firm decision to return to God and surrender your life to Jesus. Entrust yourself fully to Him, and believe me, you will experience and encounter Jesus as the Immanuel—’God with us.’
