Week 44: Startled or Shocked
Weekly Chapters:
Luke 20 - John 11
Passage of the Week:
Luke 24:37
Adjective:
Startled:
A feeling of sudden shock of surprise or alarm
Shocked
A feeling of sudden violent blow or impact
A feeling of sudden or violent disturbance of the mind/emotions or sensibilities
Theasaurus:
Stunned
Scared
Surprised
Aghast
Amazed
Astonished
Father God,
Shocked and startled are interesting emotions that could be considered reflexes. Lord, help us understand how they play out in our emotional lives and how we can work through and recognize them. Guide us on behaving in a way that glorifies you.
Amen
Authentic vulnerability:
I have to admit I startle easily.
Someone walks up behind me or says something when I do not expect it; It will make me "Yelp!" and jump. My kids think it's funny and unbelievable because they were not sneaking up on me. Regardless, afterward, I feel a little unsettled despite laughing at my folly.
What is your Authentic Truth?
Study:
Being startled and shocked can sometimes be referred to as reflexes. It is when they make a lasting feeling that they become an emotion.
Jesus shocked and startled the disciples and people continuously throughout his life. Much of our reactions are painted by our past. We tend to write the future outcome based on what we know or have experienced.
For example, early in the morning, I expect to be the only one in the kitchen; everyone else will be asleep. My experience with my night owl teenagers and husband makes me think I am alone in the morning. So when someone comes into the kitchen in the morning, I startle. My past dictates my future responses.
Some of Jesus' many miracles startled people. They judge situations based on their past. So in John 2:1-2, when Jesus changed water into wine at the wedding ceremony, it is rightful that the servers were surprised.
In John 6:1-15, Jesus feeds the 5,000, and in John 6:16-21, Jesus walks on water. Both situations shock his followers, yet they know he is the son of God, the Messiah.
But in Jesus' last days is when the most startling experience happened to the disciples.
Luke 22:21-23: Jesus dropped the bomb that he would be betrayed by one of his disciples.
Luke 22:60-61 The Rooster crows, and Peter realizes what he has done in denying knowing Jesus.
Luke 23:44-47 The tearing of the curtain in the temple at the point of Jesus' death proclaiming that Jesus was the Son of God.
Luke 24:1-8 The women find that Jesus is gone, and angels proclaim why look for the living among the dead?
Luke 24:13-34 In Verse 31, Jesus suddenly reveals himself and then disappears.
Luke 24:36 Jesus appears again.
Luke 24:51 Jesus ascends to heaven.
Over and over again, Jesus' works were startling in their creation of awe and reverence. But they needed to be. God has known for hundreds of years that his human creation was fickle and doubting or stubborn and difficult. Only through Jesus' great miracles and shocking knowledge of the future could God get his people to believe and then save them from themselves.
Today, we have God's words and miracles of times past all in one text, so it is easier for us to believe and trust. As well, we have each other to support our belief in God.
Yet, if Jesus came down before us today and performed a miracle, would we not be startled?
Father God,
Thank You for providing us with Your guidance in Your word. Thank You for providing us with love and grace and giving Your son to rescue us from our fate.
Amen.
Homework:
Consider the miracles you see around you every day.
God's creation of light
God's provision of the birds and animals in a perfect ecosystem
God's creation of the seasons
Think about these things and how much God loves you.
