Amazement. It can be fueled by awe, surprise or even doubt.
What does it take for me to be amazed? When was the last time Jesus amazed me?
Jesus made a habit of amazing people.
They were amazed by His teaching. He taught in a way they had never heard before, and He said things no one else was saying.
They were amazed by His miracles. He exercised authority over demons. He healed the sick. He raised the dead. He treated people in a way no one else was treating them, whether they were a leper or a Pharisee, and He did things no one else was doing.
“When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching,” Matthew 7:28
The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!” Matthew 8:27
So Jesus cast out the demon, and then the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed. “Nothing like this has ever happened in Israel!” they exclaimed. Matthew 9:33
The crowd was amazed and asked, “Could it be that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah?” Matthew 12:23
He returned to Nazareth, his hometown. When he taught there in the synagogue, everyone was amazed and said, “Where does he get this wisdom and the power to do miracles?” Matthew 13:54
The crowd was amazed! Those who hadn’t been able to speak were talking, the crippled were made well, the lame were walking, and the blind could see again! And they praised the God of Israel. Matthew 15:31
The disciples were amazed when they saw this and asked, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” Matthew 21:20
His reply amazed them, and they went away.” Matthew 22:22
“The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law.” Mark 1:22
And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!” Mark 2:12
“And the girl, who was twelve years old, immediately stood up and walked around! They were overwhelmed and totally amazed.” Mark 5:42
The next Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. They asked, “Where did he get all this wisdom and the power to perform such miracles?” Mark 6:2
“Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed,” Mark 6:51
They were completely amazed and said again and again, “Everything he does is wonderful. He even makes the deaf to hear and gives speech to those who cannot speak.” Mark 7:37
This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. Mark 10:24
“When the leading priests and teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had done, they began planning how to kill him. But they were afraid of him because the people were so amazed at his teaching.” Mark 11:18
“Well, then,” Jesus said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” His reply completely amazed them. Mark 12:17
“Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him.” Luke 2:33
“All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.” Luke 2:47
Everyone spoke well of him and was amazed by the gracious words that came from his lips. “How can this be?” they asked. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” Luke 4:22
“There, too, the people were amazed at his teaching, for he spoke with authority.” Luke 4:32
Amazed, the people exclaimed, “What authority and power this man’s words possess! Even evil spirits obey him, and they flee at his command!” Luke 4:36
His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed. Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” Luke 5:10
Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?” The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!” Luke 8:25
“One day Jesus cast out a demon from a man who couldn’t speak, and when the demon was gone, the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed,” Luke 11:14
“So they failed to trap him by what he said in front of the people. Instead, they were amazed by his answer, and they became silent.” Luke 20:26
Jesus replied, “I did one miracle on the Sabbath, and you were amazed. John 7:21
A few things I notice in these moments when people are amazed by Jesus. Amazement is often directly connected to Authority. When Jesus spoke with authority, exercised authority over demons, exercised authority over the wind and the waves, or exercised authority over sickness, people were amazed. Who else spoke with or acted with this kind of authority? And then I also noticed the one thing that amazed Jesus. It was Faith, or the lack thereof. Jesus was amazed by the faith of the Centurion to trust Jesus for a long-distance healing of his son, and Jesus was equally amazed by His’ disciples lack of faith on the boat in the midst of the storm.
Where do I see Jesus’ authority being exercised around me? When I see it, I will be amazed!
And what will I do that will amaze Jesus? Will it be how I exercise mountain-moving faith, or will it be my utter lack of faith?
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DOUG HOLLIDAY 