Mark 7:31-37 (NLT)
Jesus left Tyre and went up to Sidon before going back to the Sea of Galilee and the region of the Ten Towns. A deaf man with a speech impediment was brought to him, and the people begged Jesus to lay his hands on the man to heal him. Jesus led him away from the crowd so they could be alone. He put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then, spitting on his own fingers, he touched the man’s tongue. Looking up to heaven, he sighed and said, “Ephphatha,” which means,“Be opened!” Instantly the man could hear perfectly, and his tongue was freed so he could speak plainly! Jesus told the crowd not to tell anyone, but the more he told them not to, the more they spread the news. They were completely amazed and said again and again, “Everything he does is wonderful. He even makes the deaf to hear and gives speech to those who cannot speak.”
When many of us read through the Gospels, we’re desensitized to the plot and power within. Is that due to the sheer volume of the miracles Jesus wrought? Is it because Hollywood (or Hollyweird) has high-jacked our wonder with its stunning visual effects? Or is it that we’re just not that impressed with anything anymore? Whatever the reason, we often skip through without so much as a second look…or a deep first one for that matter. But to do so is to miss a simple, yet profound lesson from God.
The Plot: How we see Jesus in this story offers us a glimpse at His way of scripting Life Change in people. People drive the plot. It's for people that Jesus came, died, resurrected, and reconciled. It's people He created in His image and people he changes to look more and more like Him. And it's people he uses to reveal himself to spread the message of love, hope, and healing. People like you and me. People like those who brought Jesus the deaf and dumb man to him to be made whole. Think about it: Where did you hear about Jesus and his good news first? Unless you’re highly favored (and a very rare case indeed) in which Jesus directly revealed himself, you were introduced to Jesus through other people. People whose lives had been changed by him already. I have no idea why he uses people to do the great work…but he does…time and time again.
The Process: Once we’ve brought a “deaf, dumb, crippled, or blind” person to Jesus, we allow Him to heal and change them. We are there as a support, holding them up physically and prayerfully. Let’s make that clear: we don’t change anybody! Jesus does. We simply support them through the slippery slope of sanctification. We’re there to rejoice with them as this man’s friends did. So, say it now. Shout it now! “Jesus has healed me and my friend _______________ (fill in the blank). He has done it! And done it well!”
Application: Take a moment to do two things. First, thank GOD for using little old you to help him accomplish his eternal work of revelation and restoration. And lastly, pray for opportunities like this story, to guide an “unwhole” friend to Jesus so he may make them whole.
