AMAZED AT JESUS

Amazed at Jesus

Jesus went to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and taught there in the synagogue every Sabbath day. There, too, the people were amazed at the things he said, because he spoke with authority. . . . Amazed, the people exclaimed, “What authority and power this man’s words possess! Even evil spirits obey him and flee at his command!”Luke 4:31-32, 36

[Simon] was awestruck by the size of their catch, as were the others with him.Luke 5:9

Throughout today’s passage in Luke, Jesus taught in the temple, delivered people from demons, and healed Simon’s mother-in-law and scores of others. Everywhere he went, those who were paying attention and heard him were filled with amazement and wonder at his authority and power. Later, when Jesus told Simon to take a different approach and cast the fishing net into the deeper water, the attempt produced a catch so huge that it almost caused the boat to sink, and Simon was awestruck.

Although it is the same God who still does miracles and brings in a “catch” bigger than we can ask or think, who rules and reigns in our world today, many of us have lost our sense of awe and wonder and thus have ceased to truly worship him. If the weight of the burdens you’re carrying has snuffed out your sense of awe, picture yourself in the boat with Simon or at the bedside of his mother-in-law or as one of those healed by Jesus’ word. Ask the Holy Spirit today to open your eyes to see God’s marvellous works in your life and to fill you with wonder at what a great God he is.

LORD, restore my sense of wonder and awe as I look for you at every turn in my every day, walk around life. I want to be like those who heard you teach and were amazed at the things you said. Speak to my heart, and give me ears to hear. Open my spiritual eyes to see that you are working in the world around me. May I be filled with wonder and gratefulness at your great deeds.

IF FOR ONE WHOLE DAY, QUIETLY AND DETERMINEDLY, WE WERE TO GIVE OURSELVES UP TO THE OWNERSHIP OF JESUS AND TO OBEYING HIS ORDERS, WE SHOULD BE AMAZED AT ITS CLOSE TO REALIZE ALL HE HAD PACKED INTO THAT ONE DAY.Oswald Chambers (1874–1917)