Meeting Jesus for the First Time

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The following article is the second in a series called “Casting Nets” that will run over the coming weeks. They are written by “John,” a student in one of Ralph Martin’s New Evangelization classes, and document several evangelization opportunities he has performed in his various ministries. He writes, “Each ministry is unique with various situations, circumstances, and needs; but the one constant is broken and injured people. It is my experience that there is no greater potential for miracles to occur than when desperate people meet Jesus. I have been blessed to have seen many people come to Jesus—often in surprising or unexpected ways—and quite often, it is I who is the most surprised.”

The names of the individuals involved have been changed to protect privacy, and the author has been kept anonymous because he would like Jesus to have the credit for this work.

By John

As my wife and I arrived at the crisis pregnancy center, I had word of knowledge (a “nudge”) about someone with an ankle problem. It came and went so quickly and so quietly that I doubted it and initially brushed it away. However, as we were setting up for our Communion service for the seventeen women present, I overheard someone mention having sprained an ankle (perhaps I dismissed that nudge too soon). As my back was turned, I did not know who had said it, but no matter; God provides. My wife and I introduced ourselves and said that we were from the Catholic Church in town.

“Oh! I’m Catholic,” said a young woman who I’d estimate was between sixteen and eighteen years old. I asked, “Oh? Which church do you belong to?”

She hesitated. “I don’t really belong to a church right now.”

“Oh” I said. “Which church do you live near?”

She did not know the name of the church. I asked her, “When was the last time you went to church?”

She couldn’t remember that either. It became apparent that she was living in a non-practicing Catholic household and, in fact, she later admitted that she had not even been baptized. I had prepared a sermon based on the readings for that day, but this young lady didn’t even know the first thing about Jesus, so I abandoned my plan. I felt the Lord wanted me to focus on this young woman, so I asked her, “How is your prayer life”? “Honestly” she said, “I don’t even know how to pray.” “That’s OK,” I said. “I can help.”

I led her in an impromptu prayer that went something like this: “Jesus, I don’t even know if You are real, but people tell me You are, and You sound awesome. I’ve really messed up my life down here, and I can’t fix it anymore. I need some help. If You are really there, I invite You to come into my life and ask You to please help me. Amen.”

“That’s a prayer?” she asked. I laughed, “Yes; it’s a prayer. It’s a very open and honest prayer from the heart.”

We then spoke about the Holy Spirit, and then I led the whole group in a prayer to the Holy Spirit, followed by some quiet time. I told them that I had the sense that someone was feeling peace, another forgiveness, and that there was someone present with an injured ankle. As it turned out, it was the same young woman who I’d just taught to pray. She was surprised that I called out the ailment. I asked if it would be OK if my wife and I prayed over her. “What do I do?” she asked nervously. I smiled and replied, “Nothing at all. You just sit there and receive.” I asked the group to extend their hands in her direction and imagine Jesus fixing her ankle.

I thanked the Lord for her life and told her that I was going to put my hand on her ankle. I asked her to let me know if she felt anything. After a short while, she began to weep and said she had just felt a wave of emotion. She didn’t understand why she felt that way or what was going on, but I told her it was quite common. Someone else in the group told her it was the Holy Spirit. She said she felt a cold feeling on her ankle. She was shaking, crying, and laughing all at the same time, as the Holy Spirit fell upon her. I asked her how her ankle felt. “I don’t know,” she sobbed.

I said, “Well? Stand up and test it!” She began walking around—completely pain free. It was a very beautiful moment, because she didn’t understand what had happened or why she was healed. She was just completely overwhelmed with emotion and God’s love, and she just kept sobbing and saying, “What? Why? How?”

While reflecting on the incident, it struck me that in a scant fifteen minutes, this young woman—who previously had no idea of who Jesus was or if He even existed—met the risen Lord more powerfully than most people will in their entire lifetime. She went away that day knowing two things for certain: there is a God, and He loves her.