Encounters with the Risen Christ: When Jesus Shows Up

Some of us learnt yesterday that Easter is not over. The season continues.

Indeed, we are all reminded that we must live the Easter Story, as Easter is not just an annual event that we commemorate as part of the religious calendar, but a living, breathing reality. 

Easter is not only about what happened then, but about what continues to happen now. We thank God that the resurrection of Jesus Christ isn’t the end of the story, because even though we are living in this dispensation and we know how the story goes, many of us would still be lost. We would miss out on the reason that Jesus died on the cross - so that we can have eternal life.

God, in His infinite wisdom, continues to extend His grace and mercy towards us. 

So Easter is the continuation of God's movement in the lives of real people—people like you and me. 

Jesus didn’t just rise from the grave; He shows up. And when He shows up, everything changes.

In Luke 24:15-16 (ESV), two disciples are walking on the road to Emmaus, burdened with grief and confusion after the crucifixion. The Scripture says, “While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.” 

The disciples were doubtful, they were sorrowful. But even then, Jesus showed up. Not with a trumpet blast or in a temple,  no fanfare, no entourage, but on a dusty road, in the middle of their everyday journey. 

And guess what? Jesus still does the same today for you and for me. How many of us can testify? Jesus shows up in the middle of our workday, as we travel on the subway, He shows up when we are anxious, disappointed, fearful, unsure about a thing, lonely or alone. We can have an encounter with the Risen Christ anywhere, anytime.

Later in that same chapter, after Jesus reveals Himself through the breaking of bread, the disciples were jolted into reality.

Luke 24:31 says, “And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.” 

Isn’t it interesting? He shows up, He walks with them, He opens their understanding, and then He disappears. But, they were never the same again. Verse 32 records their reaction: “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”

That’s what happens when we encounter Jesus. When Jesus shows up, we have a divine encounter. You will be bubbling over like Andrews Liver Salt, you won’t be able to contain yourself for the joy. 

This experience is like no other. When we have an encounter with Jesus, no one will have to tell us to testify, to share what we have studied with others, no one will have to tell us to stop telling lies, stop gossiping, stop treating people like they are doormats.

When we have an encounter with Jesus, Family, it’s not just about seeing Him with our physical eyes, but about knowing deep in our spirits that He was here. 

You see, Jesus is not an actor. He is not a performer. He doesn’t just appear for dramatic effect. Family, Jesus shows up to transform. He is always on business for His Father.

In John 20:19, the disciples are hiding in fear behind locked doors. “On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’” 

Jesus showed up in their fear. He didn’t wait for the doors to open. He didn’t wait for their courage to return. He entered into their fear and offered them peace. And He does the same with us.

What is the locked door we are hiding behind today? Something that nobody else here knows about. We see one another in the chat, but many of you don’t share what you’re going through - the grief, worry, isolation, depression, financial struggles, problems with the children, or the husband, or the wife. 

Thanks be to God that locked doors don’t stop the risen Christ from seeing our situations and knocking for us to let Him in. He still enters rooms no one else can enter. He still speaks peace where there’s only panic. He still breathes courage where there’s fear. Jesus is knocking at our heart’s door. Will we let Him in?

Remember Thomas who missed the first encounter? He was the one who said in John 20:25, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails… I will never believe.” 

Maybe you’ve felt like that—like you missed it, like your faith is too fragile. But Jesus didn’t shame Thomas for doubting. 

In John 20:27, Jesus shows up and says, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Jesus met him in his need for assurance. And Thomas responded with, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28)

Family, Jesus still shows up for the doubter, the skeptic, the one who needs more than a story. He gives us evidence not just in facts but in His presence, His nearness, His grace, His unmistakable touch on our lives.

Think about Peter, who denied Jesus three times. After the resurrection, in John 21, Jesus meets Peter on the shore while he's fishing. He doesn’t scold him; He restores him. Somebody needs to let that sink in today.

Peter was not the best of friend or disciple. He did not have Jesus’ back, so to speak, when Jesus needed Him most. He denied he ever knew Jesus. Not once, not twice, but three times.

But when Peter had another encounter with Jesus, when Jesus showed up, He asked Peter, “Do you love me?” Three times Jesus asked the question, as if to match Peter’s three denials. 

And with each affirmation, Jesus commissions him: “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:17)

That’s the beauty of encountering the risen Christ—He doesn’t just forgive us; He reclaims us, recommissions us, and reminds us that our failure is not final. He turns shame into purpose. Hallelujah.

How is Jesus showing up for you today? Because he sure is. Every single day. Not just in visions or dramatic signs, but in real, personal, and everyday ways. 

Can you see Him through His Word every time we open the Bible with a seeking heart? Hebrews 4:12 reminds us, “For the word of God is living and active…”

Do you see Jesus as you go about your daily activities? At the beach, on the job, even at home? If the answer is no, then you have to open your eyes wider, pay attention. Because Jesus shows up in the community. Matthew 18:20 says, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

This one is difficult, but it is so true and so real. Jesus shows up in our pain. Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” 

How many of us can still say how blessed we are even though the back or the shoulder or the feet hurt so much…even though the bills are piling up and the business isn’t doing so well or you just lost your job. Can we still say God is blessing me right now, even though your relationship is falling apart? I know we can, because Jesus shows up even when we don’t expect Him. Glory to God.

No matter how many times the pantry goes low, there is always something to eat. Why? Because Jesus shows up in provision, sometimes unexpectedly, like a bill being paid, a door opening, or a friend calling at the right moment. 

Philippians 4:19 promises, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

We’re talking about Encounters with the Risen Christ: When Jesus Shows Up.

Family can anybody testify today that Jesus shows up in peace? When everything is falling apart, but somehow you’re still standing? That’s Jesus. Hallelujah. 

I was invited to stop by one of our Family members yesterday and he was telling me when his wife got a stroke some years ago and the doctors came out to him at the hospital to report sad news, he was in the lobby laughing. Why? Because He and His God already had a conversation. And thanks be to God His wife is still alive today. 

Family, when we encounter Jesus and we are not changed, transformed, renewed, revived, born again, something is wrong!  

There has to be a difference in our lives when Jesus shows up.

The person you used to be? That old version fades as the risen Christ works in you. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

Family, this is the Easter story, not just remembered but lived. 

Jesus is alive—and He’s still walking with us, entering rooms, restoring hope, renewing callings, igniting purpose. His resurrection is not a one-day event, it’s an ongoing reality that empowers our faith, strengthens our resolve, and assures us that no matter where we are, Jesus still shows up.

So let us walk today with expectation. Watch for Him. He’s closer than we think. And when He shows up, our story will never be the same.

aub - 22Apr25

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