Introduction

The resurrection of Jesus is not just an event to be remembered, but an ongoing experience that transforms lives. After the resurrection, Jesus continued to reveal Himself to His followers. The risen Christ is not confined to a tomb or to history; He walks with us, encounters us, and sends us out with purpose. On this 3rd Sunday after Easter, we reflect on how we encounter the risen Christ on our life’s journey, and how these encounters shape, heal, and commission us. Let us explore this through four key passages: Isaiah 38:1-8, Psalm 19, Acts 9:1-9, and Mark 16:9-20.

1. From Despair to Divine Intervention (Isaiah 38:1-8)

In Isaiah 38, King Hezekiah is at the brink of death. In his despair, he turns to God in sincere prayer. God hears his cry and grants him fifteen more years of life. Hezekiah’s encounter with God’s mercy reveals that our journey, even when marked by pain or nearing its end, can be redirected by divine grace. This speaks to us today: we may face moments of hopelessness, illness, or crisis. But encountering the risen Christ brings the assurance that our stories are not over. His resurrection power rewrites our destinies and breathes new life into our weary souls. Like Hezekiah, many people in hospital beds, facing their own mortality, have encountered Christ in dreams or silent prayers, receiving peace or even healing.

2. God’s Voice in the Journey (Psalm 19)

Psalm 19 speaks of the heavens declaring the glory of God and the law of the Lord reviving the soul. The psalmist reminds us that God is constantly speaking – through creation, scripture, and the conscience. The resurrection of Jesus affirms that God’s voice is not silent. When we feel lost, confused, or surrounded by noise, the risen Christ speaks peace and direction into our lives. In our life journey, we are invited to be attentive to God’s voice, which comes through quiet moments, Scripture, fellowship, and nature. Jesus, the Word made flesh, meets us where we are, and His Word revives our hearts, like the sun rising to light our path. A young student, struggling with life decisions, felt clarity and peace during a sunrise prayer walk, realizing God had not abandoned her. The heavens indeed declare His glory.

3. Transformation through Encounter (Acts 9:1-9)

The dramatic conversion of Saul on the road to Damascus is one of the most powerful encounters with the risen Christ. Saul, filled with zeal and ignorance, is blinded by a divine light. In this moment, he encounters not judgment, but grace. This reminds us that no one is too far for Christ to reach. In our journey, we may walk in wrong directions, driven by pride, anger, or broken understanding. But the risen Lord confronts us in love, transforms our blindness into vision, and calls us into new purpose. Saul becomes Paul, the apostle of grace. Our encounter with Jesus is not only for comfort but for conversion. He takes our past and gives it a future. A former rebel leader in Africa, after reading the New Testament in prison, surrendered his life to Christ and later became a missionary of peace. Like Saul, his life was redeemed and redirected.A group of youth from a small village, after Easter retreat, started a literacy mission in their area, sharing Christ through education and compassion. They had encountered the risen Christ and chose to make Him known.

4. Commissioned to Witness (Mark 16:9-20)

The final chapter of Mark presents the risen Christ appearing to Mary Magdalene and then to the disciples. He rebukes their unbelief and commissions them: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” The resurrection is not the end; it is the beginning of the Church’s mission. Encountering the risen Christ propels us into action. We are no longer passive recipients of grace but active witnesses of His love and power. Our journey with Christ is not only personal but communal and missional. We are called to be salt and light, to share the hope we have, and to be agents of healing in a broken world. Throughout history, the Risen Christ has continued to meet people in powerful and personal ways – transforming lives, calling disciples, and igniting movements of faith. Just as He encountered Mary Magdalene, the two on the Emmaus road, and Saul on the way to Damascus, Jesus continues to meet His followers “on the way” – in the middle of their seeking, suffering, or service. One such profound encounter was experienced by Sadhu Sunder Singh, a young seeker born into a devout Sikh family. Disillusioned by religious rituals and the loss of his mother, he reached a breaking point. One early morning, while planning to end his life, he prayed that if there was a true God, He would reveal Himself. At that moment, Sunder Singh encountered the living Christ in a vision, radiant and full of love. That encounter not only saved him but changed his life forever. He became a fiery witness of Christ throughout India and Tibet.

Pandita Ramabai,

a learned Hindu woman and a social reformer, encountered Christ through Scripture. Deeply moved by the teachings of Jesus and the character of His life, she saw in Him the answer to the oppression and suffering of Indian women. Her encounter with Christ led her to a life of faith and service, particularly to widows and destitute girls.

Narayan Waman Tilak,

a Brahmin poet and nationalist, found in Christ the answer to the spiritual thirst and moral longing of his soul. His poetic heart was stirred by the person of Jesus, and after much inner struggle, he encountered Christ not merely as a figure of history but as the living Lord. These testimonies remind us that the Risen Christ is still walking with us today – on our roads, in our questions, and through our pain – calling us to life, faith, and transformation.

Conclusion:

The journey after Easter is filled with divine encounters. From Hezekiah’s healing to Saul’s transformation, from the song of the skies to the call to proclaim, the risen Christ walks with us. He meets us in despair, in confusion, in rebellion, and even in doubt. And in each moment, He brings life, light, and mission. Today, may we open our eyes to recognize the risen Christ on our road, and may our lives be forever changed by His presence.

Prayer:

Risen Lord Jesus, we thank You for meeting us where we are. When we are broken, You bring healing; when we are lost, You guide us; when we are blind, You give us sight; when we are doubtful, You give us faith. As we continue this journey of life, help us to recognize You on our way. Transform our hearts, renew our minds, and commission our hands to serve. May we be true witnesses of Your resurrection power, bringing hope, peace, and love to the world. In Your glorious name we pray. Amen.