When Jesus Marveled

There are two occasions in the New Testament record where our Lord is said to have marveled. The Greek term used is the same in both places. The word means to wonder or be amazed. The first instance indicates Christ marveling in a positive way, noting the strength of someone’s faith. The second describes Christ marveling in a negative way, seeing the stubbornness of unbelief. Jesus Himself was marvelous for many reasons. His authoritative power over nature, sickness, and unclean spirits caused many to marvel (Matt 8:27; 9:33) As did his masterful teaching (Matt 22:18-22; Mark 1:21-22). For one as amazing as our Lord to be amazed, these are certainly accounts which warrant our closer study.

While in Capernaum, Jesus marveled at the great faith of a centurion (Matt 8:5-13). It was significant that a centurion, being a Roman military officer, a Gentile, would display such belief in Christ’s power. This centurion understood the superiority of Jesus. What’s more, he understood the Lord’s inherent authority over the sickness that plagued his servant. He requested that the Messiah merely speak a word and heal him. Christ admired the honorable man’s faith, healed his servant, and fixed upon this teaching opportunity. He said, “I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel” (Matt 8:10). The point of contrast would no doubt be seen by some as scandalous. A non-Jew with greater faith than one of God’s own people!? How could this be? Christ explains that many from other nations and backgrounds will join the Jewish patriarchs in God’s kingdom. We are assured of the New Testament teaching that God extends salvation to all who will believe, uniting Jew and Gentile into one body (Acts 10:34-35; 1 Cor 12:13; Gal 3:27-28). May we recognize Christ’s authority not just over physical disease, but over the spiritual disease of sin. His blood is the only remedy (Eph 2:13-17; Col 1:13-20).

While in Nazareth, Jesus marveled at the unbelief of His own countrymen (Mark 6:1-6). Jesus spent much of his early life in Nazareth (Luke 2:39, 51; 4:16). It was here that his mother’s husband, Joseph, worked as a carpenter (Matt 13:55; Luke 4:22). The Lord “could do no mighty work there”, meaning He was largely rejected by the people of Nazareth (Mark 6:5). The Lord marveled at the hardness of their hearts. Even when confirming the truth of His message with miraculous signs, the people opposed Him. In fact, Luke’s account reveals how they angrily cast Jesus from the city (Luke 4:28-30)!

Each one of us should consider our relationship to the true message of the gospel. What is the magnitude of our faith? The unbelieving draw back in their stubborn and willful ignorance, resisting Christ and His doctrine to their own destruction (John 3:36; Eph 4:17-19; Heb 10:39; 2 Jn 9). The faithful are confident, serving and pleasing God with a spiritual strength rooted in His Word (Rom 10:17; 1 Cor 16:13; 2 Cor 5:6-8; Heb 11:6). Does Jesus marvel at us?