Amazed

Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, 'Teacher, don't you care if we drown?' He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 'Quiet! Be still!' Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, 'Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?' They were terrified and asked each other, 'Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!' -- Mark 4:38-41 NIV

What do you think of when you think of Jesus? Many think of a loving teacher, some think of a miracle worker and some think of the words 'Son of God'. Do you ever, like the disciples mentioned in this passage, find yourself amazed by a Jesus that you can't figure out? I find it comforting to know that these, who knew Him best, were amazed by Him. The gospels are filled with passages like these:

When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes. (Matthew 7:28-29)

As they were going out, a mute, demon-possessed man was brought to Him. After the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke; and the crowds were amazed, and were saying, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel." (Matthew 9:32-33)

Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it except leaves only; and He *said to it, "No longer shall there ever be any fruit from you." And at once the fig tree withered. Seeing this, the disciples were amazed and asked, "How did the fig tree wither all at once?" (Matthew 21:19-20)

"Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" But He detected their trickery and said to them, "Show Me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?" They said, "Caesar's." And He said to them, "Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." And they were unable to catch Him in a saying in the presence of the people; and being amazed at His answer, they became silent. (Luke 20:22-26)

Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. (Luke 2:46-47)

Now they were all weeping and lamenting for her; but He said, "Stop weeping, for she has not died, but is asleep." And they began laughing at Him, knowing that she had died. He, however, took her by the hand and called, saying, "Child, arise!" And her spirit returned, and she got up immediately; and He gave orders for something to be given her to eat. Her parents were amazed; but He instructed them to tell no one what had happened. (Luke 8:52-56)

The dictionary tells us that when we are amazed we are "filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock. I like that definition ... it describes my reaction (years ago) as I watched a young lady in the Philippines healed of deafness in her left ear. It describes the awe that I sense when I read about the women caught in the act of adultery in the 8th chapter of John's gospel. I am amazed and challenged by Jesus' resolve in going to the cross. You know Jesus is still surprising us as He works in the lives of our friends and families. Testimonies of His saving grace and His healing power abound yet today.

So, I have to ask, does Jesus still amaze you? Does He overwhelm you at times? I'd be interested in knowing how he does.