A Deaf Man Hears. Mark 7:31-37.
Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee in Decapolis. And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him. And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.”And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”
Dear Children of God,
From the shores of the Mediterranean, Jesus cuts across the land and comes to the eastern shores of the Sea of Galilee. Decapolis literally means ten cities. This also was a predominantly Gentile region but many Jews lived there.
Silent (vv. 31-32).By this time people knew some of what Jesus could do. The deaf and mute person is brought to him and they beg him to lay hands on him. People had established what they thought was the pattern of Jesus’ healing process, so they already knew what they wanted him to do.
Speech (vv. 33-35). But Jesus would not fit into the box they had made for him. It is not clear why Jesus handled the deaf man in the particular way he did. He wanted the man to understand what was about to happen to him, but it is clear that there is no formula to the miracles of Jesus. He says to the man, “Be opened” and the man can hear and speak.
Surprise (vv. 36-37). The people probably had doubts that Jesus could heal the man. Their reaction is that they are astounded, so much so that Jesus’ charge that they tell no one fell on deaf ears. They were so shocked at the miracle that they went talking about it everywhere. An encounter with Jesus ought to be overwhelming, to the point where one speaks almost involuntarily, of the wonderful things Jesus has done.
Your Loving Pastor Chris.