Wonder: Scripture Readings

Genesis 28:10-17—A Night of Awe

Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Harran. When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep.

He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. There above it stood the Lord, and he said: “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. . . . I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.”

Response

Consider these questions:

  • What do you wonder about this story?
  • In the Bible there are many instances of God speaking to people through dreams. Do you think God still speaks to us that way? Why or why not?
  • How would you have reacted to this dream if you were Jacob? What might you have done and said when you awoke?
  • Have you ever had an experience that made you say, “Surely the Lord is in this place”? Where were you? What was it like?

Psalm 139—An Attitude of Wonder

You have searched me, Lord,
     and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
     you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
     you are familiar with all my ways.

Before a word is on my tongue
     you, Lord, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before,
     and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
     too lofty for me to attain. . . .

Response

Consider these questions:

  • This song is an amazing expression of wonder. Read the first 18 verses. What wonderings does this passage prompt in you?
  • Do you often go through your day with this kind of wonder and awe? If not, what do you think hinders you?
  • What practices might help you recapture a sense of childlike wonder more regularly?
  • What aspect of God’s character fills you with awe?

Luke 5:21-26—Remarkable Things

The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God.

Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”

Response

Consider these questions:

  • What do you wonder about this story?
  • Jesus knew the Pharisees’ thoughts before they said a word. How does it make you feel to know that Jesus knows you that way too?
  • If you were in the crowd that day, what would your first reaction to the healing be? Praise? Skepticism? Awe? Fear?
  • Describe a time when you were “filled with awe.” What prompted that emotion?

Revelation 21:1-5—Eternal Wonder

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”

Response

Consider these questions:

  • What do you wonder about the new heaven and the new earth?
  • What will it be like to have God dwelling among us for eternity?
  • Can you imagine a world without death and pain? What might daily life look like in that world?
  • What do you long for God to “make new” right now?