Every now and then when reading the Gospels, the good news story of Jesus, I come across a sentence I have read many times that just leaps off the page as if I had never seen it before.
That happened to me this week when reading the ninth chapter of the Gospel according to Mark.
Jesus has had a dazzling meeting with God, his Father, and the story resonates with the astonishment of Peter, James and John who were with him. Jesus famously walks off the mountain to discover his disciples in a squabble with the scribes and the sense of awe experienced on the mountain seems to quickly dissipate until these words:
When is the last time you reflected on the life and love of Jesus – as recorded in the Bible and as you have witnessed in your own life and simply marinated in a sense of “wow” – and been overwhelmed with wonder? Think of the times you have marveled with awe at some wonder? I think of the birth of my children, of watching a total eclipse of the sun, of the beauty of the Hawaiian waters. Such natural moments in life are God-given clues to the wonder our Lord may inspire in us.
When I think of the forgiving grace of Jesus, when I think of the embrace of Jesus in every single situation I have ever or will ever face, when I think that the God who adopted us as God’s children loves us as much as God loves Jesus, I am overwhelmed with wonder. May you reflect on the presence and love of the Lord who embraces you, be overwhelmed with wonder, and as Mark reports what the people in his day did, run to greet Jesus. He loves you!
Jesus has had a dazzling meeting with God, his Father, and the story resonates with the astonishment of Peter, James and John who were with him. Jesus famously walks off the mountain to discover his disciples in a squabble with the scribes and the sense of awe experienced on the mountain seems to quickly dissipate until these words:
“As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.” Mark 9:15 NIV
When is the last time you reflected on the life and love of Jesus – as recorded in the Bible and as you have witnessed in your own life and simply marinated in a sense of “wow” – and been overwhelmed with wonder? Think of the times you have marveled with awe at some wonder? I think of the birth of my children, of watching a total eclipse of the sun, of the beauty of the Hawaiian waters. Such natural moments in life are God-given clues to the wonder our Lord may inspire in us.
When I think of the forgiving grace of Jesus, when I think of the embrace of Jesus in every single situation I have ever or will ever face, when I think that the God who adopted us as God’s children loves us as much as God loves Jesus, I am overwhelmed with wonder. May you reflect on the presence and love of the Lord who embraces you, be overwhelmed with wonder, and as Mark reports what the people in his day did, run to greet Jesus. He loves you!
With joy - E. Stanley Ott
Copyright 2011 E. Stanley Ott
*Scripture from the NIV
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