Encounters with Christ can be mystifying, maddening, but ultimately, miraculous. This Lent series, following the Revised Common Lectionary for Lent Year A, follows seven characters whose meetings with Christ leave them forever changed, encouraging us to do the same.
Week 1: “When Satan Met Jesus”
Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11
Every year, the RCL begins the season of Lent with the story of Jesus in the wilderness, led by the Spirit but tempted by Satan. Satan’s provocations attempt to drive a wedge between Jesus and the Father who’s will he was sent to do. Yet all of Satan’s questions serve to clarify Jesus’ purpose, and to showcase the trust that Jesus puts in God–trust he will need as he makes his slow journey to the cross. Meeting Jesus shows us the example of how to trust, even when the hardest temptations come our way.
Week 2: “When Nicodemus Met Jesus”
Scripture: John 3:1-17
Nicodemus, a Pharisee and leader, goes seeking Jesus at night, with questions that reveal a searching soul. Although Nicodemus has built his faith around having the right answers, Jesus opens up a more expansive world to him, where his entry into eternal life is based not in having clear-cut answers but in opening himself up to the whims of the Spirit and the love of God who came to save the world. Meeting Jesus upends all our comfortable answers about faith and invites us into a deeper, messier relationship with our living God.
Week 3: “When the Samaritan Woman Met Jesus”
Scripture: John 4:5-42
The Samaritan woman, by all rights, should never have spoken to Jesus. She was a woman, and a member of a despised “heretical” branch of Judaism. Yet their conversation is the longest one recorded in scripture. As she is willing to tell the truth about her life and relationships, Jesus also tells the truth about himself: that he is the Messiah. The Samaritan woman becomes the one of the first evangelists and preachers, calling her friends to come and see the man who knows the truth. Meeting Jesus encourages us to be truth-tellers, both about our own lives and about the God we love.
Week 4: “When the Blind Man Met Jesus”
Scripture: John 9:1-41
This story begins with a meeting between a blind man and Jesus, although it quickly spirals to include different factions of his community. For the blind man, however, all the theological questions and entrapments are of little use; the salient point is that Jesus heals him. He was blind, and now he sees. How often do we muddy miracles with questions about propriety and procedure? The blind man shows us how to embrace the miraculous. Meeting Jesus may not heal us in the way the blind man was healed, but Jesus does heal us from the need to point fingers, lay blame, and suspect goodness.
Week 5: “When Mary and Martha Met Jesus”
Scripture: John 11:1-45
This is clearly not the first time Mary and Martha met Jesus; scripture recounts that he loved the entire family, and was loved by them. Yet Martha and Mary endure the heartbreak of trusting someone who disappoints them; he does not come when their brother is dying. However, Jesus is not callous to their grief, even though he knows what is still possible; he sits and weeps with them, showing them their God can not only pull off the supernatural, but also fully understand the human heart. Meeting Jesus does not ensure that nothing bad will ever happen to us, but it does give us a God who is with us, no matter what.
Week 6: “When Jerusalem Met Jesus”
Palm/Passion Sunday
Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11
After several weeks in John, this story from Matthew can feel brief and half-finished. Yet Matthew reveals a city in turmoil, half-exultant at Jesus’ approach, half-terrified. Jerusalem meets Jesus with a parade, but quickly turns against him as the week progresses, with “hosanna” turning to “crucify” by Friday. Meeting Jesus does not miraculously change our human nature; we must continually orient ourselves towards him and away from fear, violence, and self-preservation.
Week 7: “When Mary Magdalene Met Jesus”
Easter Sunday
Scripture: John 20:1-18
In the gospel of John, Mary Magdalene is the first to meet the resurrected Christ. Christ reveals himself to her by calling out her name, lifting her out of despair and towards wonder. Ultimately, however, Christ does not allow Mary Magdalene to stay where she is. He calls her to go out into the world, preaching the good news of his resurrection. Our encounters with Jesus are not simply to convince us of his love, hope, and mercy, but to send us out in the world so others can meet Jesus through us.
Ministry Resources
Meeting Jesus Liturgy
Meeting Jesus Graphics (editable Canva templates)
Deep Well Worship 