Be Opened

 

 

Mark 7: 31-37

Jesus Heals a Deaf Man

³¹ Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. ³² 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. ³³ And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. ³⁴ And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” ³⁵ And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. ³⁶ And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. ³⁷ And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

In the graphic rendering of this healing,  we see the sensitivity of Jesus, as he moves the man away from the noisy crowd and step by step heals his ears and tongue. Jesus takes his time and makes sure by these gestures that the man learns how Jesus works: through ordinary elements and actions.

We are surrounded by the deaf and speech-impaired, literally and figuratively, ourselves being in need of healing as well. We might wish for an instant cure or "fast, fast fast relief". but it seems that most healings happen as the result of much prayer, and patient hope and faith. May we remember that "God is in charge" and in "his good time" the answer we seek, or the answer that is best for us, he will give us.  As he said to this man, "Be opened", he says to us, "Be open".  That is, receive what I deem best for you and trust that at the right time, I will give it to you.

Bro. Rene