“…great crowds came to Jesus, having with them the LAME, BLIND, DUMB, MAIMED, AND MANY OTHERS. And they cast them down at Jesus’ feet. And HE HEALED THEM, so much so that THE CROWD 1WONDERED when they saw the dumb speak, the maimed sound, the lame walk, and the blind see. And they glorified the God of Israel.” (Matthew 15:30-31) 1thaumazō: to admire, to have in admiration, to marvel. Holding someone in high esteem or looking up to someone, is admiring that person. So, these people were AMAZED AND MARVELED AT WHAT JESUS HAD DONE.
Remember though in just a short while, these same people, “…shouted, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” (Luke 23:21) Then Pilate said to them, “You have brought Jesus to me, as one who misleads the people. And indeed, having examined Him in your presence, I have found NO FAULT IN THIS MAN no, neither did Herod, indeed nothing deserving of death has been done by Him.” (Luke 23:13-15) We must not allow the devil to tempt us to change how we identify with Christ based on our feelings or circumstances. When circumstances deteriorate, we cannot doubt who Jesus is and question His very character. We get tempted to turn our back, ashamed of the cross, and the man on it. “…you GREATLY REJOICE AND GLORY at the revelation of Jesus Christ, with joy inexpressible and full of glory…” (1 Peter 1:6-8)
-Bill Stockham