Encounter

"A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross." Mark 15:21

"And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, 'Surely this man was the Son of God!'" Mark 15:39

"Some women were watching from a distance...In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there." Mark 15:40-41

A stranger who is passing by, is forced into service on behalf of a man he has never met. He walks the road of death and shoulders the cross upon which another will die.

A soldier, doing his job, stands by as a condemned man hangs on a cross waiting for death. When he finally walks away he is convinced that he has seen the Son of God.

Women, at a distance, keep a death vigil as their beloved one suffers through the last moments of his life on earth. They serve him to his very last breath.

Random moment...
In the line of duty...
Or an act of love...

...an encounter with Jesus always changes our life.

Am I living out my days as if I expect to encounter him at any moment?
And am I living out my days prepared to represent him to someone else?

Jesus, help me to make the most of each encounter I experience today.