https://www.youtube.com/embed/_LpMB1OZ53g?feature=player_detailpage%22%20frameborder=%220%22%20allowfullscreen%3E%3C/iframe%3E&autoplay=1
This morning I was pleasantly surprised by a link that Bruce Arnold sent me. Surprised, because of the artistry of this Chinese fireworks display. I watched it several times, and was still amazed by its excellence- and the highlighted words below, echoed in my mind- again and again!!!!
Mark, Chapter 7 (NASB)
Mar 7:31 Again He went out from the region of Tyre, and came through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, within the region of Decapolis.
Mar 7:32 They *brought to Him one who was deaf and spoke with difficulty, and they *implored Him to lay His hand on him.
Mar 7:33 Jesus took him aside from the crowd, by himself, and put His fingers into his ears, and after spitting, He touched his tongue with the saliva;
Mar 7:34 and looking up to heaven with a deep sigh, He *said to him, "Ephphatha!" that is, "Be opened!"
Mar 7:35 And his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was removed, and he began speaking plainly.
Mar 7:36 And He gave them orders not to tell anyone; but the more He ordered them, the more widely they continued to proclaim it.
Mar 7:37 They were utterly astonished, saying, "He has done all things well; He makes even the deaf to hear and the mute to speak."
Mar 7:32 They *brought to Him one who was deaf and spoke with difficulty, and they *implored Him to lay His hand on him.
Mar 7:33 Jesus took him aside from the crowd, by himself, and put His fingers into his ears, and after spitting, He touched his tongue with the saliva;
Mar 7:34 and looking up to heaven with a deep sigh, He *said to him, "Ephphatha!" that is, "Be opened!"
Mar 7:35 And his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was removed, and he began speaking plainly.
Mar 7:36 And He gave them orders not to tell anyone; but the more He ordered them, the more widely they continued to proclaim it.
Mar 7:37 They were utterly astonished, saying, "He has done all things well; He makes even the deaf to hear and the mute to speak."
Mark, Chapter 6 (NASB)
Mar 6:47 When it was evening, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land.
Mar 6:48 Seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch of the night He *came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them.
Mar 6:49 But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out;
Mar 6:50 for they all saw Him and were terrified. But immediately He spoke with them and *said to them, "Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid."
Mar 6:51 Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were utterly astonished,
Mar 6:48 Seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch of the night He *came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them.
Mar 6:49 But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out;
Mar 6:50 for they all saw Him and were terrified. But immediately He spoke with them and *said to them, "Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid."
Mar 6:51 Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were utterly astonished,
After two millennia, the fullness of the impact of the the magnificent POWER of Jesus is hard to appreciate. It is one thing to read about the miracles of Jesus and quite another to experience the overwhelming POWER of someone who has done "all things well". Somehow, as I read and reread the Markan passage, the phrase "utterly astonished" seemed to stand out and a concordance search showed that these two passages were the only occurrences of these two words together. Then the thought came to me- What is truly amazing is that someone who could do things like these two brief episodes listed above describe could love and sacrifice himself for me!!!! Now, there is something to think about!!!!!! I am left... utterly astonished!!!!