And He came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and He was teaching them on the Sabbath; and they were amazed at His teaching, for His message was with authority. (Luke 4:31, 32 NASB)
The word that is translated "amazed" is ekplēssō, which means (according to blueletterbible.org) "1)to cast off by a blow, to drive out
2)commonly, to strike one out of self-possession, to strike with panic, shock, astonish
3)to be struck with amazement, astonished, amazed"
You don't quite get the idea from that very overused word "amazed", but when Jesus taught in Capernaum, the people responded in a totally different way than in Nazareth. In Capernaum, Jesus's teaching hit them like a blow and left them reeling. It knocked them out of their self-possession and not only made them think but brought lasting change.
What a great way to receive the Word! When was the last time you heard the truth of Scripture in such a way that it totally flabbergasted you and left you speechless with the profundity of it? When did you last allow God's Word to bring lasting change in your life?
Today, pray that we and our loved ones will hear God's Word with ekplēssō and that we will be struck to the core of our being with truth that brings lasting change and makes us more like Jesus.
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