Today we are reading from Mark 7: 31-37:

31 Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. 32 They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. 33 He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. 34 Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” 35 And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. 36 Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. 37 They were astounded beyond measure, saying, “He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”

One of the things that are interesting to see about scripture is the miracles that Jesus performs, the symbolic nature of them.  Of course, the main thing happening is that people are healed and are restored.  Lives are changed.  That is always the main takeaway from what we see in the miracles of Jesus. 

But, for those of who are reading today, there is something that we can notice as well, something on a deeper, more symbolic nature.  So, today, what do we see? 

We see Jesus heal a man healed, a man who would not hear. And could not speak.  Jesus heals him.  Praise God. But for those us today reading, there may be something bigger and deeper going on. Think about how many people in scripture can’t hear what Jesus is saying?  The religious leaders, and many times His own followers.  Jesus is preaching, He is teaching, but people are not hearing.  

Jesus heals physically, yes. But He also opens up our ears where we can hear.  He opens up our mouths where we can speak.  Maybe today we can hear just fine. But we really can’t “hear” what He saying to us.  Through His speak, if we allow, He will open our ears. He will allow us to hear.  He will allow us to receive what He is saying. He will speak.  And we will hear.  And then, like this man today, we will speak. 

So, let’s pray for ears to hear.  Let’s pay attention.  Let’s listen.  Let’s seek to understand what God is saying to us.  Let’s allow the spirit to be at work in our lives, let us hear. And then let us speak.  May the same Spirit that brought healing in this passage bring to us the same healing in our lives.  

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