Day 2 – The Awesome Jesus!

Exploring the Wonders of Christ’s Awesomeness

“Be sure . . . that your faculty of wonder is used in holy things; let your astonishment bless God.”

Charles Spurgeon.

SOME QUALITIES OF CHRIST’S NATURE AND CHARACTER, His very essence, we can only observe.
Other qualities we can emulate. For example, we can desire to be more compassionate, humble, prayerful or selfless. These are but a few of the qual­ities of Christ we will look at in the pages that follow. However, some aspects of Christ’s essence we might describe as “wonder qualities.” For example, we cannot emulate (i.e., strive to imitate) His supremacy. We can’t seek to be more supreme as we might seek to be more compassionate. We can only observe and encounter Christ’s supremacy. The same can be said about His awesomeness. We cannot be more awesome. He alone is awesome and supreme in these and every other quality we might examine of His essence. But we can live out the implications of these unique qualities of our Lord, day by day. Today we focus on the “Awesome Jesus”!

Awesome beyond Words

Awesome by definition means: “Awe-inspiring; exalted, wonderful, remarkable, extraor­dinary; magnificent.”1 This describes a person or experience that is stirring or deeply moving. Awe is defined as “a feeling of fearful or profound respect or wonder inspired by the superiority or grandeur of a person.”2

How awesome is Jesus in your life right now? Do you see Him as awe-inspiring, won­derful, extraordinary and magnificent? The psalmist gave us this challenge: “Be in awe before his majesty. Be in awe before such power and might! Come worship wonderful Yahweh, arrayed in all his splendor, bowing in worship as he appears in the beauty of holiness” (Psalm 29:2 TPT). Elsewhere the psalmist declared: “The Lord God Most High is astonishing, awesome beyond words!” (Psalm 47:2 TPT). The purpose of the pages that follow is to help you see Jesus in all His awesome wonder. Wonder by definition, as briefly mentioned in my introduction, is “a person, thing, or event that causes astonishment and admiration.”3 How awesome is Jesus in your life? Do you long to have a life-altering encounter with the awesomeness of Christ?

Sheer Wonder

Reflect with me a moment on the ancient biblical account of Samson. Most remember Samson for his dying moments when, having been blinded by his enemies after he lost his powers due to disobedience, God restored his strength, and he tore down the temple of Dagon. More of the enemy died in that instance than in Samson’s entire life.

But go back with me prior to Samson’s birth when a heavenly messenger described as “the Angel of God” delivered a promise to the household of Manoah, Samson’s future father. Manoah’s wife had been childless—apparently for years. The Angel of God appeared first to Manoah’s wife. “I know that you are barren and childless,” this divine being declared, “but you’re going to become pregnant and bear a son” (Judges 13:3 MSG). This visitor suddenly disappeared as Manoah’s wife rushed to Manoah to tell him of the promise.

“A man of God came to me,” she exclaimed, adding, “He looked like the angel of God—terror laced with glory!” (verse 6 MSG). She then recounted how this divine being had given her a promise just before he disappeared: “You’re pregnant. You’re going to give birth to a son. . . . The boy will be God’s Nazirite from the moment of birth to the day of his death” (verse 7 MSG). Manoah prays that this supernatural visitor might return to teach him and his wife how to raise this promised Nazarite child. His prayer was answered, and the Lord does return, appearing once again first to Manoah’s wife. Again his wife leaps to her feet and rushes to Manoah, declaring, “He’s back! The man who came to me that day!” Manoah quickly returns with his wife and asks this supernatural being for further help in raising the promised child. Before the Angel of God departs a second time, Manoah has a final question: “What’s your name? When your words come true, we’d like to honor you.” The Angel of God’s response is terse but telling: “What’s this? You ask for my name? You wouldn’t understand—it’s sheer wonder” (Judges 13:17–18 MSG).

Delightfully Mysterious

Manoah and his wife lacked the Scriptures as we have them today—God’s holy Word, the Bible. What an anointed resource to help us explore and experience the awesome wonders of our Lord! May we respond daily to the psalmist’s challenge: “Now, with breathtaking wonder, let everyone worship Yahweh, this awe-inspiring Creator” (Psalm 33:8 TPT). To this, we heed the additional invitation: “Drink deeply of the pleasures of this God. Experience for yourself the joyous mercies he gives to all who turn to hide themselves in him. Worship in awe and wonder.” (Psalm 34:8–9 TPT).

Are you ready to be astonished? Before we continue our journey, the psalmist adds this additional observation: “For God’s mighty miracles astound me! His wonders are so delightfully mysterious that they leave all who seek them astonished” (Psalm 111:2–3 TPT).

I know we are but scratching the surface in trying to explore the awesomeness of Jesus. And the surface is myriad wonders deep! But together, let’s go deeper!

A Prayer for Today

Awaken me, Lord Jesus, to Your goodness inhabiting all things. Awaken me to Your presence in my life and those whom I may encounter today. Awaken me to Your awe­some creation. Awaken me to Your awesome wonder that I might bring You greater glory. Awaken me to Your grace in every moment of my day. Capture my attention, Jesus, so that I may spend all my days in astonished awe of You. Amen!

Author: Dr Dick Eastman.
We are grateful to Dr Eastman and Dr Doug Clay of US AG who has provided these resources. This is an edited version for the international audience.