“They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, ‘We’ve never seen anything like this before!’”—Mark 2:12 (NLT)

Have you ever seen or experienced something that left you breathless? Something so amazing that you were floored, in awe, speechless even? That’s how I felt when I saw Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and found out that Darth Vader was Luke’s father. As a kid, I had never seen anything like it! And at that moment, a dedicated lifelong Star Wars fan was born.

When I read today’s verse, I can’t help but feel a little envious of the people who got to see Jesus with their own eyes do truly amazing miracles and say things that were unheard of and totally awe-inspiring! Case in point: Mark 2:5 (NLT). Here, Jesus is presented with a paralyzed man who was lowered on a mat through the roof. The man desperately wants to be healed. But Jesus doesn’t say, “You’re healed” or “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” Instead, He says, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” And the crowd was shocked, appalled even.

“What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins” (Mark 2:7 NLT). This was completely unheard of. No one else would have dared speak in such terms, forgiving the man’s sin. But Jesus was no ordinary man, and so He said, “‘I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.’ Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home’” (Mark 2:10–11 NLT). 

And guess what? The man was healed, and the people were even more amazed. But their amazement shifted from shock to praise as they saw the power of God in the flesh and saw His authority confirmed. The same thing happened in the Sermon on the Mount as Jesus taught completely world-shattering, life-altering truths unlike anything anyone had ever heard before (Matthew 7:28–29)!

This is what happens when we come face-to-face with the Lord Jesus. He leaves us in complete awe and amazement. In Him, our lives are opened up to previously unknown and unattainable things, to true peace, complete joy, and eternal security. We experience unconditional and unrelenting love. We see the world differently and live differently. And best of all, we get to experience uninterrupted fellowship with God through the Holy Spirit in us. 

I pray you never lose your wonder and awe for our Savior—His blessings are new and amazing every day!

DIG: Read Mark 2. 

DISCOVER: When was the last time you felt completely amazed by Jesus?

DISPLAY: Ask the Lord to amaze you today with His work in and through you. Pray for opportunities to see His miraculous work in action in your life and the lives of people around you.