Mark 7:31-37 (NABRE)
The Healing of a Deaf Man.
“Again he 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.”
Jesus came to this world so that the poor will have glad tidings, and the captives would have liberty, the sight to the blind would be recovered and the oppressed go free. (Luke 4:18) But to fulfill the mission foretold in Isaiah 61:1-2, Jesus should open the ears of people first, for all of His actions depends on how one accepts His word that would give faith and deliverance. For GOD spoke in Proverbs 4:20-23,
With Your Whole Being Heed My Words and Live
"20 My son, to my words be attentive,
to my sayings incline your ear;
21 Let them not slip from your sight,
keep them within your heart;
22 For they are life to those who find them,
bringing health to one’s whole being.
23 With all vigilance guard your heart,
for in it are the sources of life."
No matter how much we tried, if our ears are closed because of our own human belief anchored in pride and self-confidence on the teaching that has passed on us by our ancestors who were not even read the Holy Scripture, we are departed from understanding the words of Christ which will enable us to be recipient of the mighty works of the Holy Spirit in us mentioned in Luke 4:18. We should have faith in Jesus Christ to be able to receive miracles that will transform us into the new creation. We should listen to sound doctrine and ignite our own desires and stick our curiosity to the Truth, and terminate our beliefs on myths. (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
But Romans 10:14-17 says;
"14 But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?
15 And how can people preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring [the] good news!”
16 But not everyone has heeded the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what was heard from us?”
17 Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ."
Unless we are humble and our ears are opened to the word of Jesus Christ, we also cannot speak of Him who can save us. Our dream is to become a disciple of Christ and so our salvation is just an illusion if we have not heard and believed in the Word that would give us Eternal Life. There’s no new beginning for us. GOD required the people's ears to start a new beginning to Zion as HE said in Psalm 78:1-2 says, “Attend, my people, to my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable, unfold the puzzling events of the past.”
Now we have to ask the Holy Spirit to for Him to open our ears as we cannot do it on our own. Our ears are the doors to understanding and doors where Jesus enters before He can stay in our hearts.
Revelation 3:7-8says,
“7 The holy one, the true,
who holds the key of David,
who opens and no one shall close,
who closes and no one shall open,
says this.
8 "I know your works (behold, I have left an open door before you, which no one can close). You have limited strength, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.””
Brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, let’s surrender our ears and hearts to Him. Let He say to us, “Ephphatha!”— that is, “Be opened!” and have hope on Jesus for the Eternal Life to come. AMEN!
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