Encountering Jesus
Moving Beyond Information to Transformation
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Have you ever felt like you know all the right things about God — but your heart still feels disconnected?
You’re not alone.
I grew up in church, and like many of you, I possessed a lot of information about God. I knew the stories, memorized the scriptures, talked about the miracles.
But here’s the truth: knowing facts about God and walking in relationship with Him are two very different things.
That realization is where real transformation either starts or stalls.
You’re not alone.
I grew up in church, and like many of you, I possessed a lot of information about God. I knew the stories, memorized the scriptures, talked about the miracles.
But here’s the truth: knowing facts about God and walking in relationship with Him are two very different things.
That realization is where real transformation either starts or stalls.
A Walk That Changed Everything
In Luke 24, we meet two disciples walking a lonely road to Emmaus.
Can you picture it? Two of Jesus’ followers are leaving Jerusalem, and with each step on that dusty road comes a greater acceptance of defeat. Their world had just crumbled.
Days earlier, they were sure Jesus was the Messiah — the One who would rescue Israel, the One who would make all things right. But then came the cross.
The sound of the crowd, the sight of His broken body, and His final words: It is finished.
But, in the midst of their grief and confusion, there were whispers: The tomb was empty. Some women even claimed to have seen angels!
And as they were sorting through their sorrow, a stranger shows up and starts walking beside them.
Spoiler: This “stranger” is the resurrected Jesus! But these two didn’t recognize Him…not yet.
In Luke 24, we meet two disciples walking a lonely road to Emmaus.
Can you picture it? Two of Jesus’ followers are leaving Jerusalem, and with each step on that dusty road comes a greater acceptance of defeat. Their world had just crumbled.
Days earlier, they were sure Jesus was the Messiah — the One who would rescue Israel, the One who would make all things right. But then came the cross.
The sound of the crowd, the sight of His broken body, and His final words: It is finished.
But, in the midst of their grief and confusion, there were whispers: The tomb was empty. Some women even claimed to have seen angels!
And as they were sorting through their sorrow, a stranger shows up and starts walking beside them.
Spoiler: This “stranger” is the resurrected Jesus! But these two didn’t recognize Him…not yet.
From Information to Transformation
They had all the facts.
They could recite the headlines.
They even repeated what others had said: Jesus was a mighty prophet. He performed miracles. The tomb was empty. Some even saw angels!
But all the information in the world couldn’t open their eyes.
It wasn’t until they invited Jesus to sit at the table — to break bread — that everything shifted.
In that moment of shared closeness, their eyes were opened.
They had all the facts.
They could recite the headlines.
They even repeated what others had said: Jesus was a mighty prophet. He performed miracles. The tomb was empty. Some even saw angels!
But all the information in the world couldn’t open their eyes.
It wasn’t until they invited Jesus to sit at the table — to break bread — that everything shifted.
In that moment of shared closeness, their eyes were opened.
It was Him!
And in an instant, grief gave way to unimaginable joy. Information finally yielded to the life-changing power of revelation.
And in an instant, grief gave way to unimaginable joy. Information finally yielded to the life-changing power of revelation.
Information Informs. Revelation Transforms.
If we’re honest, this is where a lot of us live: Armed with knowledge, but longing for encounter.
Truly, it’s in relationship — in nearness, in conversation, in shared moments — where the risen Jesus makes Himself known.
And just like those two travelers on the road to Emmaus, when revelation hits your heart, you can’t stay where you are. They didn’t wait until morning, they didn’t stop to sleep, they didn’t let the hour of the day hold them back — they ran back to Jerusalem to tell the others: We’ve seen Him! He’s alive!
That’s what happens when your faith moves from head knowledge to heart encounter. It moves you. It stirs you. It sets your heart on fire!
If we’re honest, this is where a lot of us live: Armed with knowledge, but longing for encounter.
Truly, it’s in relationship — in nearness, in conversation, in shared moments — where the risen Jesus makes Himself known.
And just like those two travelers on the road to Emmaus, when revelation hits your heart, you can’t stay where you are. They didn’t wait until morning, they didn’t stop to sleep, they didn’t let the hour of the day hold them back — they ran back to Jerusalem to tell the others: We’ve seen Him! He’s alive!
That’s what happens when your faith moves from head knowledge to heart encounter. It moves you. It stirs you. It sets your heart on fire!
Moving Into True Faith
Want to make that same shift? Here’s how:
Want to make that same shift? Here’s how:
1. Make space to listen, not just learn.
Faith doesn’t grow from information alone, but by leaning in to hear what God is speaking to you today.
2. Choose connection over isolation.
As 1 John 4:12 reminds us, His love is brought to full expression in us when we love one another. Jesus shows up in community - around tables, in conversation, in friendships.
3. Break bread, break barriers.
It’s in that space of vulnerability and hospitality that revelation often shows up. Make room for others and share your story of God’s goodness!
4. Let love lead.
Rules don’t transform you – love does. Love for God, love for people, and a willingness to let His love stretch you, shape you, and move you.
5. Tell somebody.
When you encounter Jesus, you can’t help but tell others! Faith is meant to overflow.
6. Live supernaturally natural.
God isn’t limited to “church moments.” Look for Him in the everyday — the conversations, the interruptions, the ordinary routines. Jesus is walking with you!
7. Pursue relationship, not just information.
God is inviting you into daily relationship. Don't chase perfect theology at the expense of knowing the One who wrote the story.
A Heart That Burns
My prayer is that our hearts would burn – not just with new ideas, but with the true revelation of Jesus Himself. That we wouldn’t settle for being students of Scripture alone but grow as friends of the risen Savior.
We should be known as people so full of His presence that it overflows into every conversation, every relationship, and every moment.
My prayer is that our hearts would burn – not just with new ideas, but with the true revelation of Jesus Himself. That we wouldn’t settle for being students of Scripture alone but grow as friends of the risen Savior.
We should be known as people so full of His presence that it overflows into every conversation, every relationship, and every moment.
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So, here’s the question:
Are you living with an informational faith…
Or, are you pursuing a transformational encounter that only comes from walking with the living Jesus?
Let’s be people who move beyond head knowledge — people who recognize Him in the breaking of bread, who hear His voice in the quiet, and who run to tell the world:
He’s alive. He’s here. And He’s walking with you.
So, here’s the question:
Are you living with an informational faith…
Or, are you pursuing a transformational encounter that only comes from walking with the living Jesus?
Let’s be people who move beyond head knowledge — people who recognize Him in the breaking of bread, who hear His voice in the quiet, and who run to tell the world:
He’s alive. He’s here. And He’s walking with you.
Posted in Discipleship, Faith
Posted in #SozoLife, Jesus, Relationship, faith, Transformation, Discipleship
Posted in #SozoLife, Jesus, Relationship, faith, Transformation, Discipleship
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