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Bible Reading Plan

Reading Plan:  Mark 14-15

Please open your Bible or the Bible app to read today’s Scripture in our Bible reading plan.

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Daily Devotional: Amazing

When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

Matthew 7:28-29

Astonishing, awe-inspiring, breathtaking, extraordinary, incredible, marvelous, sensational, spectacular, staggering, stunning, tremendous, unbelievable, these are the synonyms that appeared when I googled “amazing.” When I inquired about Bible verses with the word amazing, I found many acts of Jesus.

• When Jesus had Peter cast the net one more time. With the radical abundance of fish they caught, Peter was amazed.
• When Jesus raised a dead girl back to life, her parents were amazed.
• When Jesus cast out demons from the possessed, the disciples were amazed.
• When Jesus calmed the wind and the waves with a word, the disciples were amazed.
• When Jesus told a paralyzed man to take up his mat and walk, all the people were amazed.

I think we can all picture ourselves as onlookers, speechless at these incredible acts of power. Now, truly consider this: the crowds were amazed at Jesus’ teaching. As I write this, I have to let it sink in. 

I was a teacher and frequently still act in a teaching capacity. I think I am a good teacher, but I wouldn’t use amazing to describe myself. We have now and have had in the past really great teachers at Willow. I really appreciate our speakers’ depth of understanding, insight, and relevance. I wouldn’t say I was amazed, though. I’ve had teachers, coaches, and mentors that have enriched my life, but amazing is not the word I would choose to describe them. What must it have been like to be amazed at a man’s words? No displays of supernatural power or athleticism. No fireworks, smoke machines, or fancy videos. His words, His teaching was amazing, astonishing, sensational. Jesus’ words are still amazing.

I realize I am hammering away at a single idea. I enjoy learning about cultural and historical context. I love acquiring knowledge about new insights that never occurred to me before. But there are moments when a simple understanding is suddenly a significant realization that I own deep in my soul. Creating this devotional has given me this moment. I prayed, as always, about what God would have me write. Jesus stood in front of a huge crowd, and they were amazed at His teaching. 

Next Steps

When was the last time you were amazed at Jesus’ words as recorded in the Bible? I know I am going back over the Sermon on the Mount with fresh eyes and ears. Lord help me get to the place where I am again amazed by your words.This old-time hymn brings us back to this simple truth.