“And He went up unto them into the ship, and the wind ceased, and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure and wondered” (Mark 6:51).
Amazed (Def): (Gr): Existemi from Ek and Histemi: To stand out of wits, i.e. astound; wonder
Have you ever experienced absolute amazement in the presence of the Lord? Have you ever been astounded when you saw the miraculous? It is glorious, wonderful, and absolutely marvelous to behold the glory of God before your very eyes.
The disciples were eyewitnesses of such wonder. They saw Jesus, walking on the water in the midst of the boisterous sea. The wind and the waves were buffeting their ship. They were struggling to control the vessel as they rowed against the wind. At 3:00 a.m. in the darkness of night Jesus came to them walking on the water. The disciples were astounded and full of wonder. Jesus walked up to them and spoke:
“Be of good cheer, it is I. Do not be afraid” (Mark 6:30).
At that moment, in the presence of the Lord, in the middle of the sea with the ship being tossed around, “the wind ceased, and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure and wondered”.
I Stand Amazed. The disciples were astounded and stood amazed in the Presence of Jesus of Galilee. Amazed in the Presence of the Lord. Amazed at Him. Standing amazed in the Presence of Divine Glory. Amazed seeing the impossible. Amazed witnessing firsthand the miraculous power of Christ, the Messiah, the Lord of nature, the Son of God.
Jesus walked up to them and entered the ship. Jesus joined them in the vessel. He did not pass them by but joined them in the middle of the sea. He came to them and stayed with them in fellowship, in the moment, in the hour of trial, in the middle of their fear, anguish and torment, Jesus made everything calm.
The Apostle experienced the amazement of the people when he preached Christ, the Messiah:
“All that heard him were amazed and said, ‘Is not this he that destroyed them which called on the name of the Lord in Jerusalem, and has come here for the purpose to bring the followers of the Way bound unto the Chief Priest'”? (Acts 9:21).
The conversion of the Apostle Paul is one of the most amazing conversions of all time. To be changed by just one encounter with the Lord from being a persecutor of Christ to an Apostle of Christ is astounding. From arresting followers of the Way to being a follower of the Way is simply amazing. No wonder the people were amazed when they heard the Apostle preach Christ Jesus as Lord and Messiah.
Be prepared, amazing things are coming in your life. The things you are about to experience, and encounter are going to astound you and fill you with wonder. In the middle of your storm, Christ will come and speak a word of comfort and peace and the winds that were contrary to you will cease and Jesus will join you in your vessel in the middle of your circumstance. You will stand amazed. It is going to happen, of that there is no doubt.
In his own words, the Apostle has written:
“For whether we are beside ourselves (Gr. Existemi), it is for God; or whether we are sober, it is for you. For the love of Christ constrains us. . .” (II Corinthians 5:13-14a).
Let the love of Christ constrain you in all you do, and if something you do, or experience, or encounter is miraculous, just stand amazed in the Presence of the Glory of God.
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Praise the Lord!