Mark 7:31-37
“Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him. After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly. Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.””
Mark 7:31-37 NIV
I want you to imagine that you are the deaf man in this passage. You are completely cut off from the world of sound. You cannot hear the sound of your loved ones voices, you cannot hear the laughter of children, the wind in the trees, water rushing, birds calling, music or singing. That would be a difficult adjustment for any of us to make.
Deafness can be an isolating experience. It is one thing to lose your sense of smell or taste, but to lose your hearing presents many challenges in life. Praise God there are so many more opportunities and resources for people who are deaf today, but those who were deaf in Jesus day did not have any of those advantages. They did not have schools or training or a fully developed sign language. And so while deafness can be a real challenge for people today, we need to remember that it was extremely debilitating for people in the time of the New Testament.
Every one of us starts off spiritually deaf and spiritually speechless. We don’t hear God truth accurately and we struggle to talk to God, about God or talk to others about God plainly. We are spiritually deaf and spiritually speechless. That’s how we all start out.
Today we are going to take a look at a man who could not hear and could not talk. Jesus heals him and gives him the ability to hear and ability to talk.
Jesus concern is clearly to bless and heal this man, not to make a name for Himself. He has power over disease as well as demons. His desire is to use that power to bless and deliver, not to amaze or bewilder the crowds. As God's Son among us, Jesus is personal and intentional with His care. He will not exploit another's misfortune to receive praise just as a miracle worker. What a powerful lesson for all of us who call Him our Lord and example.
Verse 34 says Jesus sighed. This sigh was a deep sigh, more along the lines of a groan. I believe it is revelation of God’s heart concerning all sickness and sorrow and suffering in the world. God is not a God way off in the distance, far removed from the sufferings of man. He is a God who cares for us and feels our pain. He is the God who shares our burden. He is the God who took on human flesh himself in order to free us from sickness and suffering and sin.
Jesus gave a deep sigh, and then He said, Ephphatha, which means, Be opened. Jesus gave this command to the man’s ears that were shut and could not hear. He gave this command to the man’s tongue that was bound and could not speak clearly. He spoke to the man’s condition, He spoke to the man’s need. Be opened.
This was an amazing miracle. Not only did Jesus heal the man’s deafness instantly, but Jesus also gave the man the ability to speak clearly. His ears were opened, his tongue was loosened. This man was healed instantly and completely at Jesus Word.
That’s our word for today. Be open to God. Be open to Jesus. He is the Christ. He is the Messiah. He has done all things well, and He will do all things well. And when Christ is leading your life, no matter how rocky the path that you walk, the end is always good. All shall be well and all manner of things shall be well, because Christ is God and Christ is good. Be opened. Be open to God and His amazing love for you.
Let us reflect on God’s kindness to us in Christ Jesus. Brothers and sisters you have been touched by the creator. You have been graced with the privilege to hear the truth of God and to speak both to and for God. Let us make the most of that privilege. Let us listen to His Word. Let us speak in a way that is correct, because it is straight in accordance with God’s Word. And let us look for opportunities to tell others!!!
Father thank You for this day and the powerful example of Jesus. Lord let Your abundant blessings be my friend and family’s portion today. Lord You were not just trying to please a crowd, but to bless the broken and train Your followers. Lord we ask for this same balance in our lives and our ministry of reconciliation. Lord, in the varied experiences of life help us take the good things with simplicity and the difficult and challenging things with courage. Lord use my friend to be opened to spread Your Word to all today. Daddy we love You amen. Be a blessing. Love ya !!
Comments