The Encourager
“Amazed - by Jeff Curtis”
Amazed
By Jeff Curtis
We sometimes sing a hymn that says, “I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene.” Anyone who comes to know this God-man will truly be amazed. Jesus shared the Father’s glory before the world was, and it was through Him that the worlds were created. He was made flesh by the instrumentality of the Holy Spirit and a devout Jewish virgin. This took place in an otherwise insignificant land on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, in humble circumstances. Jesus grew up as a worker in His earthly father’s carpentry shop. Then He engaged in a campaign to teach an ethic and wisdom which comparative religionists around the world concede to be superior to all other religions. He gave credence to His teaching by being the only teacher ever who consistently lived what He taught, this made and deep-rooted impression on those who knew Him best. They testified that He died and actually rose again. This testimony continues to grip the hearts of men. Its power draws people from around the globe into its sphere of faith and transform their lives.
Paul knew this Jesus of Nazareth. He had seen Him and heard His voice (Acts 9:4-6; 22:7-8; 1Corithians 9:1), not only in that glorious vision on the road to Damascus but also on subsequent occasions (Acts 18:9-10). To him, Jesus was more real and substantial than the ground he walked on or the walls of the prisons that interrupted his tireless tours along the Roman Empire. Even these walls weren’t able to prevent the progress of the good news that he proclaimed (2Timothy 2:9).
While Paul stood in amazement at Jesus Christ, he was also “amazed” at the Christians in Galatia (1:6). However, this late amazement was for negative reasons. (1) They had deserted the wonderful grace f Christ. (2) They had deserted quickly. (3) They had deserted for an empty gospel of Law-keeping. The apostle’s words warn Christians of all generations not to trade the invaluable treasure of Christ for anything this world has to offer.
Meditate on this:
Deuteronomy 5:29
Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!
