October 28th, 2013
Matthew 8:27 — But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the and the sea obey him!
Yesterday, I wrote to answer the question “Is Jesus God?” Now we’re past that, I’m moved to talk some more about how amazing the Son of God is.
I know it’s a very limited point of view, but for me the most amazing things about Jesus are the things He’s done for me. He died to pay the price of my sins. Before I surrendered to Him, I had no idea what would happen in my life — I was hopeless. Now, no matter what the immediate circumstances, I know what the future holds and it’s a bright hope. That’s amazing. But the people that the man Jesus lived and moved among thought He was amazing too — and for more than one reason. You can do what I did — go to a concordance and look up words like “amaze” and “wonder” and “astonish” — you’ll see just how much. But let me give you a taste …
First, as the text at the start of this piece shows, people were amazed at Jesus’s command of natural forces.
Well, perhaps that’s not right. The first time we read of Him amazing people is in Luke 2, when the boy Jesus astounds the Teachers of Israel: “And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.” (Luke 2:46-47)
Later, the Jews in Capernaum were amazed at the power of His speech: “And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.” (Luke 4:36)
His power over evil was amazing: “Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?” (Matthew 12:22-22)
Jesus astonished people with His command over life and death: “And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.” (Luke 8:56)
This man is amazing. But there’s something else amazing. How come they didn’t get it? How could they know the scriptures, how could they hear and see Him and not know? How come they don’t get it now. How can they see so many lives changed by the Christ, the Son of God, and not know Him for who He is.
Oh, I know really. They didn’t know because they didn’t want to know. They don’t know, because they don’t want to know. Maybe that’s the most amazing thing about the Man. And the saddest. Is your heart broken yet?