Mark 7:32 [S]ome people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him.
Since the man could hardly talk, he’d probably been deaf most of his life, or maybe all of it. And since hearing and speaking are primary means of communication, he’d truly missed out on much. But 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 (Mark 7:33-35).
This was the beginning of a whole new life. From this day forward, the man enjoyed hearing words from others, and sharing words with them. After Jesus died and rose, in fact, he may’ve heard the gospel, and passed it on to others. This is the best use of hearing and speaking there is, and a privilege we often take for granted. The best use of our ears and mouth, is to hear God’s word and share it.
*****
Mark 8:22-23 They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village.
The man’s hopes were very high. To receive his sight would be a gift unlike any other. Jesus could’ve healed him publicly but, to avoid creating a scene, he took him by the hand and led him outside the village.
Jesus didn’t take him by the arm or elbow, but by the hand. The hand is more personal than the arm or elbow, and they walked this way for some time. Jesus is a very personal Savior. Our highest joy is to put our hand in his, and walk with him through life.
Mark 8:23b-24 When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, Do you see anything? He looked up and said, I see people; they look like trees walking around.
The man was able to see, but only vaguely. It was better than blindness, but it wasn’t perfect. So, once again, Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes, and this time his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly (Mark 8:25).
This story is unique because it’s the only time Jesus healed in two stages. We aren’t told why he used spittle, or why his sight wasn’t perfect the first time. But, if there is a parallel, it’s that most people don’t see clearly all at once. Our eyes are opened the moment we believe in Jesus Christ. And the more we learn of him, the better our vision becomes.
*****
Mark 9:17-18 Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid.
The boy’s condition was so severe that his life was often in danger. The father was hopeful that Jesus could help, but wasn’t entirely sure. [I]f you can do anything, take pity on us and help us [he said]. If you can? said Jesus. Everything is possible for one who believes. . . . I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief (Mark 9:22-24), he replied.
Overcoming unbelief is the challenge of a lifetime, especially when our prayers aren’t answered. [W]hen you hid your face, I was dismayed (Psalm 30:7), wrote David. And Be merciful to those who doubt (Jude 1:22), wrote Jude.
A pastor called on a man who lost his business due to a partner who ran off with the money. Then he lost his wife due to the stress of losing his business. Then he got cancer. The pastor offered to read him the Bible, but the man said he didn’t believe in God anymore.
Then the pastor reminded him that God didn’t promise health, wealth and happiness, but something even better: forgiveness for our sins, an eternal home in heaven, and never to leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Whenever hardship threatens our faith we ought to pray, I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.
Mark 9:25-26 You deaf and mute spirit, he said, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again. The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out.
We shouldn’t think that every illness is the result of an evil spirit, but some apparently are. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you (James 4:7-8), wrote James. God’s prescription for overcoming evil is always to Resist the devil and Come near to God. Many problems can be solved in this way, but the help of a trustworthy doctor can also be an answer to prayer.
Reflection and Review
How has Jesus changed the way you see the world?
Do you ever struggle with unbelief?
How do you overcome the devil?
Since the man could hardly talk, he’d probably been deaf most of his life, or maybe all of it. And since hearing and speaking are primary means of communication, he’d truly missed out on much. But 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 (Mark 7:33-35).
This was the beginning of a whole new life. From this day forward, the man enjoyed hearing words from others, and sharing words with them. After Jesus died and rose, in fact, he may’ve heard the gospel, and passed it on to others. This is the best use of hearing and speaking there is, and a privilege we often take for granted. The best use of our ears and mouth, is to hear God’s word and share it.
*****
Mark 8:22-23 They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village.
The man’s hopes were very high. To receive his sight would be a gift unlike any other. Jesus could’ve healed him publicly but, to avoid creating a scene, he took him by the hand and led him outside the village.
Jesus didn’t take him by the arm or elbow, but by the hand. The hand is more personal than the arm or elbow, and they walked this way for some time. Jesus is a very personal Savior. Our highest joy is to put our hand in his, and walk with him through life.
Mark 8:23b-24 When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, Do you see anything? He looked up and said, I see people; they look like trees walking around.
The man was able to see, but only vaguely. It was better than blindness, but it wasn’t perfect. So, once again, Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes, and this time his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly (Mark 8:25).
This story is unique because it’s the only time Jesus healed in two stages. We aren’t told why he used spittle, or why his sight wasn’t perfect the first time. But, if there is a parallel, it’s that most people don’t see clearly all at once. Our eyes are opened the moment we believe in Jesus Christ. And the more we learn of him, the better our vision becomes.
*****
Mark 9:17-18 Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid.
The boy’s condition was so severe that his life was often in danger. The father was hopeful that Jesus could help, but wasn’t entirely sure. [I]f you can do anything, take pity on us and help us [he said]. If you can? said Jesus. Everything is possible for one who believes. . . . I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief (Mark 9:22-24), he replied.
Overcoming unbelief is the challenge of a lifetime, especially when our prayers aren’t answered. [W]hen you hid your face, I was dismayed (Psalm 30:7), wrote David. And Be merciful to those who doubt (Jude 1:22), wrote Jude.
A pastor called on a man who lost his business due to a partner who ran off with the money. Then he lost his wife due to the stress of losing his business. Then he got cancer. The pastor offered to read him the Bible, but the man said he didn’t believe in God anymore.
Then the pastor reminded him that God didn’t promise health, wealth and happiness, but something even better: forgiveness for our sins, an eternal home in heaven, and never to leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Whenever hardship threatens our faith we ought to pray, I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.
Mark 9:25-26 You deaf and mute spirit, he said, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again. The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out.
We shouldn’t think that every illness is the result of an evil spirit, but some apparently are. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you (James 4:7-8), wrote James. God’s prescription for overcoming evil is always to Resist the devil and Come near to God. Many problems can be solved in this way, but the help of a trustworthy doctor can also be an answer to prayer.
Reflection and Review
How has Jesus changed the way you see the world?
Do you ever struggle with unbelief?
How do you overcome the devil?