在去英國劍橋上大學以前，查爾斯．西緬（Charles Simeon）是個喜愛馬匹、衣著考究的年輕人，每年都要花費大筆的置裝費。但上了大學後，學校要求他必須參加例行的聖餐禮拜，他便開始認真探討自己的信仰。西緬在閱讀了許多信徒所撰寫的書籍後，在某一個復活主日，生命經歷了巨大的轉變。在1779年4月4日，他清早醒來，不禁高聲頌讚：「耶穌基督今日復活了！哈利路亞！哈利路亞！」隨著他對上帝的信心日益增長，他全心投入在研經、禱告和參加教堂禮拜。

在史上的第一個復活主日，來到耶穌墳墓前的兩名婦女也經歷了生命的轉變。她們親眼見到地大震動，天使將墓石挪開，並對她們說：「不要害怕！我知道妳們是尋找那釘十字架的耶穌。祂不在這裡，照祂所說的，已經復活了」（馬太福音28章5-6節）。這兩名婦女喜不自勝地敬拜耶穌，並跑回去把這大好的消息告訴朋友們。

與復活的基督相遇，並不是古時候才會發生的事，耶穌應許我們此時此刻就能與祂相遇。我們與主的相遇可能會很奇妙、很戲劇化，就像墓旁的婦女或查爾斯．西緬那樣，但也可能平凡無奇。無論耶穌以何種方式向我們啟示祂自己，我們都可以相信祂深愛著我們。

Before Charles Simeon attended university in Cambridge, England, he loved horses and clothes, spending a huge sum on his attire yearly. But because his college required him to attend regular Communion services, he started to explore what he believed. After reading books written by believers in Jesus, he experienced a dramatic conversion on Easter Sunday. Awaking early on April 4, 1779, he cried out, “Jesus Christ is risen today! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!” As he grew in his faith in God, he devoted himself to Bible study, prayer, and attending chapel services.

On the first Easter, life changed for the two women who arrived at Jesus’ tomb. There they witnessed a violent earthquake as an angel rolled back the stone. He said to them, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said” (Matthew 28:5–6). Overjoyed, the women worshiped Jesus and ran back to tell their friends the good news.

Encountering the risen Christ isn’t something reserved for ancient times—He promises to meet us here and now. We might experience a dramatic encounter, such as the women at the tomb or as Charles Simeon did, but we might not. In whatever way Jesus reveals Himself to us, we can trust that He loves us.