It’s amazing!
by Anne Hansen
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And when the demon was driven out, the man who was mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, ‘Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel’ (Matthew 9:33).
Read Matthew 9:32–34
I am astounded by the happenings that changed history and humanity’s way of life. There are 15 things that start with the letter ‘A’ that have been achievements contributing to human progress: the Acropolis, the Apollo 11 moon landing, aeroplane invention, the atomic bomb, the abolition of slavery, automobile invention, the Aswan High Dam, antibiotics discovery, the Alhambra, the American Revolution, the Aztec Empire, the adoption of agriculture, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the signing of the Armistice and the Apollo 13 mission. These events have all left an indelible mark on human history. You may need to research what each meant to the whole of the world – I sure needed to!
Amazing and incredible! Just as I am amazed, so people in the time of Jesus were amazed at the events that seemed to follow Jesus wherever he went. Jesus was changing the world with his teachings and all the astonishing miracles he was performing. God had been silent for 400 years since Malachi, and now he appeared as a man with the power to perform the most unbelievable things. To cast out a demon is no small feat. The Pharisees tried to discredit Jesus by saying he was a prince of demons to be able to do this. But why would a demon want to cast out a demon?
Once the demon was cast out, the mute man could speak. Amazing! God is the only one who has the power over the happenings in our world. God has given people incredible gifts to achieve amazing things, but only God has the power over what is unseen! As God’s Son, Jesus also has the power to change the impossible. As we enter the Lenten season, we come to God with our needs, concerns and wants. God knows what we need, and, in his time, he can do all things – just believe he can!
People have limitations, but with God, nothing is impossible!
I praise you, Lord, for your incredible creation and the gifts you have given your people. Work in my heart and mind so I know that nothing is impossible with you, and you have all things in your hands. Amen.
Anne Hansen has worked as the Lutheran Tract Mission Development Officer for 19 years. She is married to Pastor Mark Hansen (who serves in Noosa Qld), and they have three grown children – Jonah, Christian and Emma. Previously, Anne was a Lutheran school teacher, having taught at Good Shepherd Lutheran in Noosa Qld, St Marks in Mount Barker SA, and Golden Grove Lutheran School in SA. Anne says she loves serving Jesus! Her other roles have included pastor’s kid, Lutheran Youth of South Australia (LYSA) president, Lutheran Youth Encounter (USA) events director, nanny in Wales, backpacker through Europe, puppeteer, musician (touring the USA for two years), Know Your Bible (KYB) leader, Mainly Music leader and children’s ministry leader.
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