A life-changing encounter with Christ

“Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John (the Baptist) and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, ‘We have found the Messiah.’ (which is translated Anointed).’ Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon, the son of John; you will be called Cephas (which is translated Peter).” (John 1:40-42)

It was a life-changing encounter. Andrew had apparently been looking for the Messiah because he was following John the Baptist. He was listening to someone speak about the Messiah when, suddenly, the Messiah appears and because someone pointed Christ out to Andrew – he followed the Lord. Andrew did not just follow Christ, listen to His teachings, and then go about his normal routine. He goes out and intentionally searches for his brother.

Can you feel and hear the excitement in Andrew’s voice as he tells his brother “we have found the Messiah”? His encounter with Jesus changed Andrew. It made him a witness for Christ. It caused him to run and search out others to tell. It drove him to show others how to encounter Jesus for themselves. He could not hold it to himself that he had encountered Jesus.

Our experience with Christ should change our life. If you had an encounter with Christ that changed your life, then you should be telling others about it. You should be showing others how to encounter Christ like you did. Our experiences with Christ may change our life differently than it does someone else. It does not, however, negate the power Christ has poured out into your life.

Andrew was changed into a messenger. He was changed into a trumpet blowing to all who would hear. He was changed into a missionary. As a result, he brought his brother to Christ. His brother was immediately changed by Jesus into something much more powerful. Jesus calls him “Peter”. He calls him “Rock”. It will be on this Rock, on this individual, that Christ later builds His Church….all because his brother had a life-changing encounter with Christ.

Has Jesus changed your life? Do you remember that moment where it seemed your whole world changed because you met Christ? Do not allow anything to hold you back from sharing that experience with others. It just may have a greater impact for the kingdom of God than you realize. You be the voice. Let the Holy Spirit do the rest.

If you have not had an experience with Christ that changed your life, then allow Him the opportunity to come near you. It is only in getting close to Christ, standing in His presence, that our life will be changed. Pray and ask Him for such an encounter. Then, just wait. He’s coming.