What does the crowd's amazement teach us about witnessing God's works today? Setting the Scene: From Mourning to Marvel “Immediately the girl got up and began to walk about. (She was twelve years old.) And immediately they were utterly astonished.” — Mark 5:42 A real girl really died. Jesus literally took her by the hand and brought her back to life. In the space of a heartbeat, a funeral atmosphere turned into breath-held wonder. Why the Crowd’s Amazement Matters • Their astonishment verified the miracle. Nobody stayed indifferent; every witness knew God had acted. • Amazement became the first response of faith’s seed in many hearts (cf. Mark 5:43, where Jesus instructs silence until the right time). • It set a pattern: when God works, people notice—even if they cannot yet explain. Lessons for Us Today 1. Expectation fuels testimony • Psalm 118:23 — “This is from the LORD; it is marvelous in our eyes.” • Anticipating God’s intervention readies us to recognize it and speak of it. 2. Wonder guards against spiritual fatigue • Revelation 2:4-5 warns about losing “first love.” Recapturing amazement brings us back to heartfelt devotion. 3. Shared amazement multiplies witness • Acts 3:10: the crowd “was filled with wonder and amazement” when the healed beggar walked. That marvel opened Peter’s sermon. • Luke 7:16: after another resurrection, “fear seized them all,” and they glorified God. Awe turns witnesses into worshipers. 4. God’s works proclaim Christ’s authority • John 11:45: many who saw Lazarus raised “believed in Him.” The sign pointed squarely to who Jesus is. Practical Steps to Keep Amazement Alive • Revisit Scripture accounts regularly—read them as literal history, not distant legend. • Record present-day answers to prayer; reread the list when routine dulls wonder. • Celebrate others’ testimonies in small groups or family time. • Spend moments in quiet after witnessing God’s work; let astonishment sink in before rushing on. • Speak plainly about what God has done. The crowd in Mark 5 did not craft polished speeches; simple, earnest words carry weight. Cross-References That Reinforce the Theme • Matthew 15:31 — “The crowd marveled… and they glorified the God of Israel.” • Mark 1:27 — “They were all amazed… ‘What is this? A new teaching with authority!’” • Acts 2:12 — At Pentecost “they were amazed and perplexed.” • Hebrews 2:3-4 — God testifies “by signs, wonders, and various miracles.” Encouragement to Share What We See The same Lord who raised Jairus’s daughter is active today. When He moves, let genuine amazement well up—then let it out. Your awe may be the spark God uses to awaken faith in someone standing nearby, just as He did in that astonished crowd two thousand years ago. |
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