Amazed, Perplexed

They stood there amazed and perplexed. “What can this mean?” they asked each other. (Acts 2:12)

As the observers heard the Jesus-followers speaking fluently of the wonderful things that God had done, and doing so in languages they obviously had not learned, their reactions were predictable. The Scripture says first of all that they were amazed, or astonished. (I even find a reference for this word to “be out of one’s mind!” That is, they just couldn’t take it in.) And the other word, perplexed, refers to “being at a loss”. So, they were struggling to know how to possibly process this phenomenal event. It wasn’t making any sense!

When we encounter things that put us at a loss, and we are left grasping for words and the appropriate approach to interpreting a situation, it seems we are suddenly wide open to instruction. We are hungry for help. Is there anyone who can explain this to us?

In the recent past in the USA, for example, there was a common, nationwide chorus that was voiced, asking for help in interpreting the events of 9/11. What has happened? What’s next? What do we need to know about this?! One reason churches were full is that people were seeking answers. They were perplexed (“at a loss”), and couldn’t make sense of it. Can someone shed some light on this for us, please? Yes, you’ve got our attention—now explain it to us! We don’t want to live in a confused and fearful state!

God used these common human responses to a most outlandish display—people fluently and poignantly speaking languages they had never learned!—to get the attention of the masses. That opened the door for the preacher to explain what they were beholding. (I wonder how many preachers have ever experienced such an unexpected prelude to the sermon?! Oh and by the way, we don’t have any record that the preacher had actually prepared to preach!) He suddenly had the attention of an amazed and perplexed audience. The reader of this story will note that this amazed and perplexed and bewildered state is repeated throughout as a description of those experiencing this miracle of language. This repetitive description of the bystanders drills home to us that this is not a passing response or casual state of affairs, but serious business. The attention of the hearers had been grabbed. The crowd was in awe, and ready to be instructed.

This reminds me of the events surrounding the boy Samuel, who kept hearing a voice, and who responded, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”

When God the Holy Spirit gets our attention, and we realize that he has something to say to us, we do well to intentionally verbalize to him that same response.

“Father, you’ve got our attention—now, speak, your servants are listening.”