HOW TO MARVEL THE LORD

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In the scriptures, the concept of “marvel” refers to moments when something or someone was astonished. The Greek word for ‘marvel’ is “thaumázō,” which means “to wonder, be struck with admiration, or astonishment.” To marvel is to stand in utter awe of what has been seen or heard. Throughout the Bible, there are moments when people marveled at our Lord God, but there are also two particular instances when the Lord Jesus Himself marvels—one good and one bad.

Understanding these moments where the Lord marvels not only opens our eyes to divine expectations but also challenges us in our daily walk. So, how can we marvel the Lord? Let’s explore the scriptural context of awe and admiration—both when people marveled at the Lord and when He marveled at them.

Throughout His life and ministry, the Lord Jesus left people amazed. Here are 8 biblical instances where people stood in awe of Him:

Luke 2:30-33 – Mary and Joseph: Marveling at Jesus as a Baby
- When Simeon, a devout man, finally saw baby Jesus, he marveled because God had revealed that he would not die until seeing the Messiah. Simeon’s recognition of the baby’s divine identity left Mary and Joseph in awe of the prophecies concerning their son.
Matthew 8:25-27 – The Disciples: Marveling at the Lord Jesus’ Power Over Nature
- During a violent storm at sea, the disciples were afraid, but Jesus rebuked the winds and the sea, causing an immediate calm. The disciples were left marveling, asking, “What kind of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”
Matthew 9:6-8 – The Multitudes: Marveling at Lord’s Authority Over Demons
- When the Lord Jesus healed a man possessed by demons, the crowds were astonished. They marveled not just at His healing power but at His authority to command and cast out demons.
Matthew 9:6-8 – The Multitudes: Marveling at the Healing of the Paralytic Man
- When the Lord healed the paralyzed man, the crowd glorified God and marveled at His power to forgive sins and heal, recognizing something divine in His authority.
Matthew 21:19-20 – The Disciples: Marveling at the Withering Fig Tree
- The Lord Jesus cursed a fig tree that bore no fruit, and it withered overnight. The disciples marveled at how quickly the tree died, recognizing that Lord’s word carried authority over nature.
Matthew 22:15-22 – The Pharisees and Herodians: Marveling at Jesus’ Wisdom
- When the Pharisees and Herodians tried to trap the Lord Jesus with a question about paying taxes to Caesar, He outwitted them by asking for a coin and saying, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.” They marveled at His wisdom, realizing they could not trap Him.
Matthew 27:11-14 – Pontius Pilate: Marveling at the Lord Jesus’ Composure
- When the Lord Jesus was brought before Pilate, He remained silent amidst accusations, something Pilate found astonishing. The Lord’s peace during this trial baffled Pilate, as most would beg for their lives in such a situation.

Through these instances, people were repeatedly astounded by the Lord Jesus’ divine power, authority, wisdom, and peace.

Interestingly, there are two recorded moments when the Lord Jesus marveled—one for the unbelief and one for great faith. These examples show us that our faith, or lack thereof, can leave an impression on our Lord.

1. Mark 6:1-6 – Jesus Marvels at the Unbelief of His Hometown

In Mark 6, we read how the Lord Jesus returned to His hometown of Nazareth. Despite His wisdom, teachings, and the miracles He performed, the people refused to believe. Instead of honoring Him, they questioned, “Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary?” (Mark 6:3).

The Lord marveled at their unbelief. They had heard His teachings and witnessed His power, yet they allowed their familiarity with Him to blind them to the truth. Despite the overwhelming evidence, they still found reasons to doubt. This unbelief saddened the Lord, and He could not perform many miracles there because of it.

This instance shows how unbelief, especially in the face of clear evidence, deeply grieves the Lord. When we allow doubt, familiarity, or pride to block our faith, we miss out on the fullness of God’s work in our lives.

2. Matthew 8:5-13 – the Lod Marvels at the Faith of a Centurion

In contrast to Nazareth’s unbelief, the Lord encountered a Roman centurion who displayed remarkable faith. The centurion came to Him, asking Him to heal his servant. When the Lord Jesus offered him to come to his house, the centurion responded that there was no need. He believed that the Lord Jesus could heal his servant simply by speaking a word.

This faith astonished the Lord. Here was a Gentile, outside of the Jewish covenant, who understood the power and authority of the Lord more than those who were considered religious. The Lord marveled and said, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith” (Matthew 8:10). The centurion’s faith was so strong that it required no signs, no physical touch, no physical presence, only trusting in the Lord Jesus’ word.

So, what can we learn from these two contrasting moments where the Lord was marveled?

Faith Amazes God: Just as the centurion’s faith amazed the Lord, our faith can still astonish the Lord today. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that “without faith, it is impossible to please God.” The kind of faith that amazes God is not blind or ignorant; it is a faith grounded in trust in His word and character.
Unbelief Grieves God: Just as unbelief in Nazareth hindered the Lord Jesus’ work, our own doubts and skepticism can prevent us from experiencing God’s power in our lives. When we focus on earthly limitations or question His ability to work, we miss out on the fullness of His blessings.
Keep Seeking the Spiritual: As Colossians 3:1-2 instructs, we should “seek the things that are above” and “set our minds on things that are above, not on earthly things.” When we shift our focus to spiritual matters, we begin to see the Lord’s hand at work more clearly, and our faith grows.
Faith Requires Humility: The centurion recognized his unworthiness before the Lord Jesus, saying, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof.” True faith comes from humility—a recognition that we are dependent on God’s grace, not our own merit.

Even though the Lord Jesus knows all things, He still marvels at our faith—or lack thereof. To marvel the Lord today, we must have unwavering faith like the centurion, a faith that trusts in His word alone without the need for signs. This kind of faith pleases God and leaves an impression on heaven itself.

The Lord marvels at two things: unbelief and faith. Which one will He see in you? Let us strive to live with a faith that astonishes, a faith that says, “Lord, just say the word, and I believe.” In doing so, we can move the heart of God and stand as a testimony of His glory.