In your heart set apart Christ as Lord!
1 Peter 3:15
Though they did not believe the women’s report, Peter got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened (Luke 24:11-12).
There were many times Peter and the others found themselves wondering about Jesus:
The Jews were amazed and wondering, “How did this man get such learning without having studied,” John 7;15 NIV
They were stunned, shaking their heads, wondering what was going on. They didn’t understand what He had done at the supper feeding 5,000 with five loaves of bread and two fish. None of this had yet penetrated their hearts (Mark 6:51b-52 Message).
All were bearing testimony to Him, and were wondering at the gracious words that are coming forth out of His mouth, and they said, “Is not this the son of Joseph?” Luke 4:18 YLT.
They were all amazed at the greatness of God, and all were wondering at all things Jesus did when He healed the youth and gave him back to his father (Luke 9:42 YLT).
They were stunned, wondering at Jesus walking on the sea. Then, when He climbed into the boat, the wind died down (Mark 6:48-51a).
Jesus healed an invalid at the Bethesda Pool, He said, “I did one miraculous thing a few months ago, and you’re still standing around getting all upset, wondering what I’m up to,” John 7:21 Message.
When His disciples came and saw Jesus speaking to the Samaritan woman, they kept on wondering because with a woman He was speaking (John 4:25 Wuest).
They wondered what it meant when Jesus said, “In a little while you will no longer see Me,” John 16:19 AMP.
After Jesus told them He was to suffer a great ordeal, Peter grabbed Him in protest. Jesus confronted Peter, “Peter, get out of My way! Satan, get lost! You have no idea how God works.” The disciples were wavering, wondering what to believe (Mark 8:31-33 Message).
They puzzled over what Jesus said, “After the Son of Man rises from the dead, you’re free to talk,” wondering what on earth “rising from the dead” meant (Mark 9:9-10 Message).
They wondered who He was talking about, “One of you will betray Me,” John 13:21 NLT.
After the feeding of the 5,000, the people began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet Who is come into the world.” Jesus, knowing they intended to come and make Him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by Himself (John 6:14-15).
According to the Pulpit Commentary, the people were sincere and enthusiastic. They were swayed and ready wondering at what moment they should break out in this apparently irresistible action. They wished to make Him King in opposition to all the kings of the earth, especially to Ceasar, and to deliver them as a nation from the hateful yoke of Rome.
What was stirred by all this wondering (fear, shock, curiosity, interest, sensation, excitement, enchantment), plotting a course to manipulate, maneuver, control when provoked whether by anger or bitterness or fear or rebellion.. Witchcraft! And we are told rebellion (what provokes) is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry (1 Samuel 15:23 KJV).
Because I’m not the brightest bulb on the shelf, I have asked Holy Spirit to use imagery to help me better understand. In regard to witchcraft, of course it is easy to imagine a witch standing at her cauldron stirring an evil potion. Well, this is the image I was given, but what was being stirred were words brewing, swirling as steam rising from that cauldron.
When words are many, transgression is not lacking (Proverbs 10:19 ESV).
Out of the abundance of the heart, whether good or evil, the mouth speaks (Luke 6:45 ESV).
The tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness, setting on fire the entire course of life and set on fire by hell (James 3:6 ESV).
Do you see a person who is hasty in their words? There is more hope for a fool than for them (Proverbs 29:20 ESV).
Death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21 ESV).
A harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1 ESV).
Perverseness in a tongue breaks the spirit, but a gentle tongue is a tree of life (Proverbs 15:4 ESV).
What comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person (Matthew 15:18 ESV).
There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing (Proverbs 12:18 ESV).
Whoever keeps their mouth and their tongue, keeps themselves out of trouble (Proverbs 21:23 ESV).
On the day of judgement people will give account for every careless word they speak! (Matthew 12:36 ESV).
Those who grew up ‘in the faith’ but had no faith
Will find themselves out in the cold,
Outsiders to grace and wondering what happened!
Matthew 8:12 Message