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 It
is not too surprising that people of the first century should be “amazed”
at the miracles of Jesus, or “astonished” at the wonders and
signs which God did by Him. (Acts 2:22) The manifestation of Deity
in “nature” is marvelous; and when God shows Himself
supernaturally, men are “put out of themselves ” or “greatly
struck.” (Mk. 7:37) It was not for lack of proof that many
rejected Him. Astonishment at His works and wisdom was overcome by
pride, envy, and prejudice. They were “offended” and disbelieved
because He was a carpenter, “one of us,” and few of the “big
shots” had believed on Him. (Mk. 6:2-6; Jn. 7:47-f.)
But
Jesus “astonished” both friend and foe with something other than
His miracles. There was the content of His teaching, i.e.,
God is God of the living (Matt. 22:23-33); His zeal in defense of
God’s house of prayer (Mk. 11:15-18); and His ability to
capture the hearts of those who came to take Him captive. (Jn.
7:32-46)
Even
the twelve disciples who were with Him daily, schooled in His
idealism, were unprepared for the extent of His teaching.
When Jesus set forth the divine concept of marriage-- that which was
“from the beginning”—“His disciples say unto Him, if the
case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.”
(Matt. 19:3-12) His teaching so “shook” them that compliance
seemed possible only to those who bound themselves in celibacy. But
Jesus did not give ground. Devotion to divine principles can do more
than the knife or the monastic cell. The true Christian will “keep
himself” for the kingdom of heaven’s sake.” Such teaching
continues to
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“amaze” the worldly-minded today.
And
when Jesus said, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye
of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of
God,” His disciples “were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then
can be saved?” (Matt. 19:16-26) The answer to this question is not
to be found in some “low gate” dodge around the Master’s
teaching. Jesus said, “With God all things are possible.” (vs.
26) At this point the disciples seemed not to understand the
exceeding value of treasures in heaven, but the time would come when
they would amaze the world at their willingness to “give all”
rather than reject the Saviour.
The
Sermon on the Mount abounds in enough idealistic teaching to astound
anyone, but an additional factor was even more amazing. Matt.
7:28-29 says, “—the people were astonished at His doctrine: for
He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”
Authority was inherent in the Christ. Although He quoted Scriptures
to show the fulfillment of prophecies and to interrelate all of
divine truth, He spake as the source of truth. He did not, as
the scribes, have to appeal to other sources to “prove” His
statements. Divinity is its own proof. This primacy and ultimacy was
so apparent in Jesus Christ that the honest heart could not doubt
it. He could ask, “Which of you convicteth me of Sin?” (Jn.
8:46) and have no fear of a truthful answer.
And,
wonder of wonders, this amazing Christ died for you and me.
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