"Passover is a time of reflection and joy. When we emerge from our cocoon of doubt to fly freely on the wings of faith." - Unknown.. I 

Written by Joann Turnbull 

The meaning of astonished: the state of being surprised, startled, stunned by some exceptional wonder, some overwhelming event or miracle. 

The word astonished is found approximately 106 times in the Bible

In the world today we are rarely astonished by anything. Nothing seems to surprise us. 

As we look at this word we see many people astonished at the words and actions of someone that walked on this earth over 2000 years ago. 
There were crowds of people in Jerusalem from every corner of the known world.  They had come to celebrate an amazing happening that took place many years before.  

It is called the Passover.  By taking the blood of a lamb and putting it on the doorpost of their homes the death angel spared the firstborn of their house.  And the Hebrew people left Egypt by way of the amazing parting of the waters of the Red Sea by God. 

As the second day of the Passover begins many were up very early and looking for the man who had ridden into Jerusalem the day before on a young colt.  He had arrived in town in a very humble way.

Could He be the Messiah they had been looking for?  They found Him in the Temple. He was telling the men who were exchanging the coins from other countries to get out of the Temple.  He told them that His Temple shall be called by all nations a House of Prayer.  Jesus stayed in the Temple healing the blind and the lame.  The people were wild with excitement. Even the children were praising Him for the wonderful things He was doing and saying. 

 
Very early the next day the crowds were looking for Jesus.  They found Him in the Temple being questioned by the religious leaders.  The leaders were trying to trip Him up with their questions.  But He answered every question they had with great authority. Finally, the religious leaders sent a lawyer to ask Him a question.  

The lawyer asked, “Which is the great commandment in the law?”  His answer was, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like it. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  

After this, the religious leaders did not question Him anymore.  They began trying to plan a way to get rid of Jesus because the crowds were growing.  And the leaders said to each other the whole world is going after Him.  We are going to have to do something about Him. 

The rest of the day Jesus spoke to the crowds and His disciples.  He spoke with such great authority and power.  These people were having astonishing encounters with Jesus, the Son of God.  They had met the holy one. The one who loved them.  The day before He had wept over Jerusalem. 

Today He wants us to have astonishing encounters with Him.  It is Passover week.  Time to remember Who He is.  And four days before His death on the cross He was still teaching and healing anyone who would come to Him.

“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”” Matthew 11:28-30 NLT

Written by Joann Turnbull 

Photo by Pexel

Inspiring Music

Joshua Aaron - Hoshiana (Official Music Video) Jerusalem