Faith Filled Wonder

“Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder.” – E.B. White

This quote sits in a small frame in my kitchen. It is a reminder to keep a fresh perspective on the world. Wonder is a fanciful concept that we often ascribe to things like stars and chocolate. Well, maybe the chocolate part is just me, but it is a wonder how it can fix a lot of things! It stops us for a moment and causes us to be amazed at the world. In a moment, wonder has the ability to fascinate us. This is the sentiment that we find in John 1 as the Gospel account opens on the scene at “Bethany across the Jordan” (John 1:28). “Behold, the Lamb of God!” (John 1:29, 36) John the Baptist was busy preparing the way when Jesus walked up. Wonder. It is the Christ! John was clear on his mission – prepare the way. (John 1:31) Yet, he was still amazed by the presence of Jesus.

We see wonder again in the voice of Andrew telling his brother, Simon Peter that he has found, “the Messiah”. (John 1:41) Nathanael expresses wonder with his proclamation in verse 49 of the chapter, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” This verse comes on the heels of verse 46 where he had just scoffed at Philip saying, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Wonder. Only Jesus can flip our doubt into faith. Simply look into the eyes of a newborn child and you will see it. Faith serves as the basis for our sense of wonder. Andrew and Philip had open hearts and listening ears searching for the truth of God’s promise, so when they found Jesus they were ready. Wonder may have launched them into action to go and tell, but it was their faith that led them back to Jesus and solidified their place in the Kingdom of God. Only Jesus can perpetuate a faith that leads us through the valleys up to the mountain tops where wonder abounds.

"And he said to him, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.' " John 1:51 (ESV)