Healing Of A Deaf Man

Today's Reflections

 

Healing Of A Deaf Man

September 8, 2012, 11:19pm

Again Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis. And people brought to Him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged Him to lay His hand on him. He took him off by Himself away from the crowd. He put His finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then He looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!” (that is, “Be opened!”) And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more He ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly astonished and they said, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Reflection

Ephphatha! Be opened! Three words describe the story of the deaf man: Hope, help, and healing.

Hope. The deaf man is given hope by the people who bring him to Jesus. Greater hope is afforded him by the person and power of Jesus. The deaf man trusts that Jesus can do something for him and give him what he is hoping for – the return of his power of speech.

Help. The people intervene to help the deaf man. They desire the man’s good and bring him to Jesus who they believe can help bring back the man’s hearing and speech.

Healing. Jesus takes the man away from the crowd, touches the man’s ears and tongue, and commands the healing that opens his ears and removes his speech impediment. The deaf man receives what he and the people have prayed and hoped for.

Jesus is our hope. He is always there to help and heal us. He also sends people to help us in our need.

When was the last time you brought a friend in need to Jesus?

SOURCE: “366 Days with the Lord 2012,” ST PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: books@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph