“But when the crowds saw this, they were awestruck, and glorified God, who had given such authority to men” ( Matthew 9:8 8 But when the multitudes saw it, they were afraid, and glorified God, who had given such authority unto men. ).

The word rendered “awestruck,” although often translated “fear,” most commonly refers to reverential awe in the New Testament. It is how someone feels who is in the presence of another, infinitely superior person.

“Awestruck” describes the reaction to numerous significant events we read about in the gospels and Acts: the shepherds hearing of Jesus’ birth ( Luke 2:9 9 And an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. ), the apostles when their Lord walked on water (Matt. 14:26), the guards at the tomb when the angels rolled away the stone (Matt. 28:2–4), the people in the early church right after Pentecost ( Acts 2:43 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. ), and the reaction to the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira ( Acts 5:5 5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down and gave up the ghost: and great fear came upon all that heard it. , 11).

Reverential awe of God is an essential part of the genuine Christian life (see 2 Cor. 7:1, 10–11; Phil. 2:12; 1 Peter 3:2 2 beholding your chaste behavior `coupled' with fear. ). This attitude must undergird all important aspects of worship, ministry, love, respect, and even biblical church discipline (see 2 Cor. 5:11; Eph. 5:21; 1 Tim. 5:20).

The awe-filled response by most of the people in the crowd as they witnessed what Jesus did for the paralytic was certainly the right one, especially since it resulted in their giving glory to God. Such an attitude should never be far from us as we strive to faithfully worship and serve the Lord (cf. Acts 9:31 31 So the church throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being edified; and, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, was multiplied. ).

Ask Yourself

How magnificent of a revelation does it take for you to be “awestruck” at God’s splendor and glory? What simple, basic, everyday things are ready examples of His greatness, though disguised as something ordinary and insignificant?

From Daily Readings from the Life of Christ, Vol. 1, John MacArthur. Copyright © 2008. Used by permission of Moody Publishers, Chicago, IL 60610, www.moodypublishers.com.

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