We sometimes sing a hymn with the line, “I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene.” Anyone who comes to know the God-man will truly be amazed. Jesus shared the Father’s glory before the world was, and it was through Him that the worlds were created. He was made flesh by the instrumentality of the Holy Spirit and a devout young Jewish virgin. This took place in an insignificant land and in humble circumstances. Jesus grew up as a worker in His earthly father’s carpentry shop. He then went about teaching an ethic and a wisdom which religionists around the world concede to be superior to all other world religions. He gave credibility to His teachings by consistently living what He taught. This made a great impression on those who knew Him best. His followers testified that He died and rose again. That testimony continues to grip the hearts and minds of men. Its power draws people from all over the world into its realm of faith and transforms their lives.
While Paul stood in amazement at Jesus Christ, he was also “amazed” at the Christians in Galatia (1:6) but for negative reasons. They had deserted the wonderful grace of Christ for an empty gospel of Law-keeping. The apostle’s words warn Christians not to trade the invaluable treasure of Christ for anything this world has to offer.