Astonished at the Messiah of Israel

(Matt 4:23-25) Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about Him spread all over Syria, and people brought to Him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and He healed them. Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed Him.

Yeshua went to different places people could be found. He preached GOOD NEWS. The people considered the news He shared with them to be GOOD. Yeshua healed people of every disease and sickness they had; EVERY one. He healed people who had the flu, seizures, leprosy, and people who could not see, walk or talk. Because the news was so good, and people were being healed of everything that afflicted them, the news spread.

They had LARGE crowds. When God is alive in our midst, touching people, changing lives for the better, people come; lots of people. They will come from down the block and around the world. They will cancel other appointments, and change their schedule. They will do whatever it takes to meet the Jewish Jesus.

People wanted what Yeshua offered. Many people love Yeshua but will not go to services. Why? There is nothing of interest or value in most services. They’re right and I don’t blame them. We need life, passion, love, people getting healed, and coming to faith to be happening regularly.

(Acts 8:9-20) Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, "This man is the divine power known as the Great Power." They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic. But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Messiah Jesus, they were immersed, both men and women. Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.

When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. Then they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been immersed into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit." Peter answered: "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!

Peter was mad because you can’t buy God’s power. You can have it when you become a child of God, but you can never buy it, or get it any other way. Simon offered money because he was astonished at what God was doing in the lives of people. He experienced the real presence of God. It impressed and affected him so much, he followed around the disciples. He could not get enough. He wanted to be wherever God’s presence was changing lives. He was so impressed that he was willing to offer money to get it. He would do anything he could to be around God’s presence, and would do anything he could get God’s power.

People should be astonished at what happens in our lives. Not just to enjoy an entertaining show, but to experience God’s power, presence and reality. It should be that people would not want to miss a service. They would do anything they could to be here. They would change their schedules, skip other appointments, and travel any distance because they would not want to miss out on meeting God. Have you met the Jewish Jesus? When we meet Him, He changes our lives, He saves, heals and delivers. He shares GOOD NEWS.

Matt 12:23, 22:33, Mark 5:42, Luke 20:26
People were astonished at what Yeshua said and did
Acts 3:11, 4:13, 10:45
People were astonished at what the disciples did
astonished - amazed, marveled

Acts 4:13 adds that the people thought about this and came to the conclusion that the reason they could do what they did, was that the disciples had been with Yeshua.
(Living Bible) they were amazed and realized what being with Jesus had done for them!

(Rom 11:11) salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious
(Living Bible) the Jews would be jealous and begin to want God’s salvation for themselves.
(Message) the Jews were starting to wonder if perhaps they had walked out on a good thing.

(11:13-14) I (Paul) make much of my ministry in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them.
(Living Bible) so that if possible I can make them want what you have
(Message) hoping they’ll realize what they’re missing and want to get in on what God is doing.

Our actions and words should arouse people and make them envious and jealous of our relationship with Yeshua. They should realize they’re missing out on something marvelous, and begin to want what we have. Have you met the Jewish Jesus and received His presence and power in your life? Let’s seek it together.