Amazed

When is the last time we were amazed by what someone said or did? 

Today we have a little story from the Gospel of Mark that has people amazed over and over again.  Listen to these words:

They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Mark 1:21-22

Everyone who surrounded Jesus was amazed.  Are we or are we simply too familiar with the words and stories?  Are we too jaded by the failure of so many we held in high esteem only to have their personal lives reveal a darker side to them?  Are we too small in our faith believing only what we see around us? 

People were amazed both by what Jesus had to say and by the authority with which he said it.  Maybe it’s time we asked the Holy Spirit to help us see and hear the words of Jesus in a fresh way today and let the amazing truth He is revealing come alive in us again.  Jesus is God and He is speaking to ordinary little folks like us.  That in itself should amaze us.

Lord, we want to pause and do just that.  We agree that You have the words of eternal life and we hardly hear them anymore.  We hold Your words too ordinary and we ask forgiveness for that.  Open our ears, our eyes, our hearts, so we can hear in a fresh way what You are saying to us and all that it means.  Heal our hearts and minds so we can be amazed that You, the Holy God of heaven wants to communicate with us and finds a way to do that.  Holy Spirit help us to understand what You are saying and enter into these life-giving words. Amen

Now, it wasn’t just what Jesus was saying that amazed the people, it’s also the miracles He did.  Jesus, in these moments sent away a demonic spirit from a man in such a way that:

The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” Mark 1:26-27

Now people are also amazed at the authority that is demonstrated by Jesus. 

Loving God, all authority is Yours and we need to recognize and acknowledge that today.  You’ve proven over and over again that You have authority over evil spirits.  You told your disciples, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”  Matthew 28:18

Fill us with Your power.  Help us to stand under Your authority and then live and speak with authority in Your name so blessing and healing and truth fill the lives of those we come in contact with.  Amen