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In one short paragraph, Jesus astonished the people around Him for two significant reasons. Firstly, they were astounded by His preaching. Secondly, they were astounded by His healing.
Why were they astonished by His preaching? Because He spoke only the truth. Truth possesses its own power. It requires no sugar coating. It needs no techniques. When truth is conveyed as truth, it invariably carries a liberating power. When our words fail to astound others, could it be because we speak from fear or seek favors? Truth is fearless and does not pursue favors. Truth is truth, and that is its inherent value.
The second reason why people were astonished at Jesus is that He healed. He healed out of compassion. He healed from love. He was love incarnate. People were astonished because He was willing to go to great lengths to heal a man with an unclean spirit.
These are the two reasons why people were astonished by Jesus. He spoke the truth and lived with love. Truth and love, when united, possess infinite power. Truth and love, together, can liberate many. Yet, the first to be liberated, when truth and love converge, is ourselves.
