“I just want to experience Jesus.”
It’s a phrase often said with sincerity and longing, yet there always seems to be a cloud of confusion that surrounds it. Because what does it actually mean? Is it a mystical feeling? A spiritual high? In a world that values emotion and sensation, the idea of “experiencing Jesus” can be quickly reduced to a fleeting feeling or momentary inspiration.
But as followers of Christ, we have something far more substantial. Experiencing Jesus isn’t about emotional highs, but rather about relationship, daily communion with God, and transformed living. It’s about knowing and being known by the risen Savior, right now, in real time.
Experiencing Jesus on This Side of Eternity
To experience something is to encounter it in a way that affects you. We experience heat when the sun warms our skin; we experience beauty when a piece of music stirs our emotions. Experience is more than knowledge—it’s personal, felt, and often leaves a lasting effect.
In the same way, experiencing Jesus isn’t limited to intellectual knowledge or doctrinal belief (though they are certainly important). It’s about living in fellowship with Jesus Himself. In fact, doctrine is meant to lead us into fellowship with Jesus—not just a future fellowship in heaven, but fellowship now. Because through the Holy Spirit, Jesus is present with His people. And that presence is deeply personal.
James 4:8 tells us, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” This is a staggering promise. The God of the universe has not only made Himself known—He invites to come close. When we approach Him in faith, we can expect His nearness. Not always in ways that tingle the spine, but in ways that root our hearts in assurance, peace, and joy.
Experiencing Jesus might look like the conviction that grips you when reading His Word. It might be the comfort you feel during prayer when your soul is weary. It might be the Spirit's gentle rebuke when sin creeps in. It might even be the joy of worship, whether in church or in solitude. All of these are real, grounded experiences of the living Christ.
But none of this happens apart from a relationship with Him.
A Relationship With Jesus
The Christian life is ultimately about relationship—and relationships are built on experience. You cannot have fellowship with someone without experiencing them on some level. And as Christians, our relationship is not merely with the Bible, but with Jesus Christ—as He is a Person who has a character and a nature. So to experience Him, we must first be united to Him by faith.
And this is the heartbeat of the gospel: Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, lived a sinless life, died a substitutionary death, and rose in victory to bring us back to God. When we repent of our sins and trust in Him, we are not only forgiven, we are adopted. We become sons and daughters of the living God. And through our union with Christ, we enter into a real relationship with Him.
This relationship is nurtured and strengthened through God’s Word, prayer, the sacraments, and fellowship within the local church. These are the very places where Christ meets with His people.
It’s in His Word that we can hear God’s voice because it is living and active—through God’s Word, Jesus speaks to us. It’s in prayer that we can respond to Him and experience His presence. It’s in the sacraments (baptism and the Lord’s Supper) that we are reminded of Jesus’s sacrificial love and the grace that we have received. And it’s in community with the body of Christ that we come into contact with His transformational power.
Ultimately, experiencing Jesus is not about chasing spiritual highs—it’s about abiding in Him day by day. It’s rooted in faith, grounded in truth, and nurtured by His Word, prayer, the sacraments, and the fellowship of His people.
If your heart longs to experience Jesus, then start there. Open your Bible expecting to hear from Him. Pray with a heart that leans on His promises. Come to the Lord’s Table remembering His sacrifice and receiving His grace. Worship with His people, knowing He is present among them.
Experiencing Jesus is a lifelong process of belonging to Him, being moved by the Holy Spirit, and growing in knowledge of Him. It’s about your relationship with God, daily communion with Him, and living in light of your heart transformation. If you draw near to Him, He will certainly draw near to you.
