When Jesus went to a town or city, things happened. People were amazed at how he taught with authority and revealed deeper understandings of God’s law. He healed the sick and raised the dead. Demons and evil spirits obeyed Him. He multiplied food to feed thousands from only one small lunch. He broke social and religious taboos.
Everybody was amazed at Jesus because He lived beyond limits. Numerous times the New Testament identifies that the crowds were amazed at Jesus. Here are just a few times that Jesus left people scratching their heads in amazement.
Matthew 8:27 – The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!"
Matthew 9:33 – And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel."
Matthew 13:54 – Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?" they asked.
Matthew 15:31 – The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.
Mark 1:22 – The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.
Mark 2:12 – He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"
Mark 7:37 – People were overwhelmed with amazement. "He has done everything well," they said. "He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak."
Mark 15:5 – But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.
John 7:15 – The Jews were amazed and asked, "How did this man get such learning without having studied?"
Jesus was amazed two times in the Gospels. He was amazed when he returned home and found opposition to His ministry. They lacked faith to believe in Him. And Jesus was also amazed to see the great faith of the Centurion who came to have his servant healed.
What impresses God? It’s not our ability or intelligence. It’s not our strength or beauty. It is our faith in God.
The choice is ours– we will either be amazed at Jesus or He will be amazed at our lack of faith.
Visit the following video to see the inspiration behind this post. http://www.ignitermedia.com/amazed.asp
