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PETER

(John 21:15-17)

During one of our pastor’s sermons, he spoke of the personal encounter Peter had with Jesus. This took place after Christ had been resurrected. The master drew Peter aside and asked him three times if he loved Him. Each time, Peter answered in the affirmative, “Yes, Lord, I do.”

Peter, like most of the disciples-except for John, fell away from the Master. We have written evidence of his three denials of belonging to Jesus’ followers.

The Lord asked Peter three times if he loved Him. At first glance, it seems that Jesus asks the same question in order to forgive Peter for each denial. Further study shows that the Lord used the phrase dealt with different levels of the emotion; the first time Jesus dealt with volitional love. The next use centered on Peter. The last time Jesus asked the question, He brought it down to their interpersonal relationship.

Others in the Bible had these personal encounters with either Jesus or with the Father.

MARY

(Luke 1:26-38,39-55)

Mary was a teenage girl, newly engaged to Joseph-a carpenter in her village. The angel Gabriel appeared to her and brought her a special message from God, He chose her to bear His Son. At first, she couldn’t comprehend what the angel told her. When Gabriel told her of the impending birth of her relative Elizabeth’s child-Elizabeth-- who was probably beyond child-bearing age. Mary recognized this news was from her Lord. She journeys to Judea to visit Elizabeth and Zechariah. Elizabeth recognized Mary as the mother of her Lord.

Mary’s response, called her Magnificat is one of the most beautiful passages in the New Testament.

MARY MAGDALENE

(John 20:1-2,10-18)

We know the story, John tells us Mary Magdalene went to the tomb; the stone had been rolled away. She quickly found Peter and John and related what she had seen—the tomb was empty. She followed the two disciples to the tomb and waited as John hung back from entering the cave, Peter entered the tomb. Both of these men departed the garden puzzled by what they saw.

Mary Magdalene, stirred by emotion, stood outside the tomb and cried. She heard a voice, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” (John 20:15) Mary mistook the person she saw for the gardener. He got her attention by calling her by name. She recognized him and called Him, “Rabboni!” He then gave her a task to do. She was to go to those who followed Him and tell them that He was alive. She confirmed to them that He was alive; her words to them: “I have seen the Lord!”

WHAT ABOUT TODAY?

In each of these personal encounters, the individual came away with either a task to perform or a new mission in life. Do people have encounters with God today? I believe they do.

A dear friend has a very busy life. She actively works in her church. Both her aged parents face health issues. Yet, I know she and God meet regularly. She seeks Him and, in turn, He guides her through each day.

I have another very dear friend who seldom gets out of synch when things around her get to be more than most people could handle. From time to time, she reminds me that she trusts God completely. I believe she has come to this degree of faith because of the time she spends with God in prayer and in Bible reading.

Another lady I know who has encounters with Jesus has concerns about several family members who have severe health issues. Yet, she never complains. God still uses her as she serves Him each day in her work and in her relationships with those around her.

These three Biblical as well as these present-day examples confirm for me that God loves His people. How can people deny that He is real and works in the lives of those who love Him? Have you had any significant personal encounters with Jesus? Were they recent?

"Voice of Inspiration" from Andy Castro

Mangled Mind-Psalms 91:15