Encounter: People Jesus Met, Then and Now预览

The Disciples' Encounter

Have you ever been caught in a wild storm? Or found yourself in the ocean during a large swell?

These moments can be terrifying. When the waves rage, the wind howls, and the rain pours down, we become acutely aware of the vastness of creation—and how small and powerless we are in comparison.

No amount of human strength can overcome such a storm.

This is exactly what the disciples discovered in their fishing boat that day with Jesus. They are in danger. They are vulnerable. They are (understandably) terrified. Considering that many of them likely cannot swim and that large bodies of water were believed to hold monsters or other unknown terrors, this is an unimaginably distressing situation.

Yet, amid all the chaos, Jesus is asleep.

When the disciples wake Him, it is unclear what they expect from Him. Do they need help bailing water out of the boat? Are they hoping for words of wisdom or reassurance?

What they do not expect is for Jesus to command the wind and waves to stop. When He does, they are left both amazed and terrified, witnessing firsthand that Jesus has mastery over the forces of nature.

In this moment, they realise that their teacher is not just a rabbi or a prophet—He has authority over creation itself. Their fear shifts from the storm to the One who can control it.

The vastness, beauty, and power of creation are awe-inspiring, but this story is a striking reminder of where creation stands in relation to Jesus. He commands it. Creation is not to be worshipped—or even feared. Instead, it is the Creator, God, who holds ultimate power over it.

Paul Kingsnorth found faith in Jesus through his deep connection with the natural world. As a child, he would go on long walks and camping trips with his father in the mountains. It was there that he felt a profound spiritual connection to nature.

In his thirties, he began exploring spirituality in an attempt to formalise this connection. His first step was Buddhism, but he soon sensed that something was missing. He then tried Wicca, a form of modern witchcraft, but again, he had an innate feeling that it was not the truth.

Watch Paul Kingsnorth's Encounter

As Paul Kingsnorth says, when you pray, sometimes you get an answer. He threw out a challenge to God: "If you’re real, show me!"

And God did.

Through small, seemingly insignificant encounters with people, through vivid dreams, and even through miraculous moments where he experienced God’s love in an overwhelming way, Paul came to realise that the Creator of the universe was reaching out to him—offering him true life in Him.

This revelation was terrifying. He had never intended to become a Christian. In fact, he actively resisted it. But despite his reluctance, he could no longer deny the undeniable. Christ had come looking for him.

This is the power of an encounter with God—it changes everything.

Application

When you are surrounded by creation, do you take the time to encounter God? How might He be revealing Himself to you through the beauty, power, and intricacy of the world around you?