24.147 | HEALED GENTLY AND PRIVATELY | Mark 7:31-37 | God’s Word for Today with Pastor Sinon

God’s Word For Today

God’s Word for Today 19 June, 2024 31 Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. 32 And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him. 33 And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. 34 And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” 35 And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. 36 And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. 37 And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” -Mark 7:31-37 ESV HEALED GENTLY AND PRIVATELY From Tyre and Sidon, Jesus made a circuitous route to Decapolis to avoid the district of Galilee. The last time He had been in Decapolis, He healed the demon possessed man. He was driven away by the crowd. Apparently, this time the people are much more receptive. Was this because of the testimony of the healed demon possessed man? They brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him. It appears that the locals like or respect this man. Like the crippled man who was let through the ceiling (Mark 2:1–12) and the blind man at Bethsaida (Mark 8:22–26), they bring him to Jesus. Unlike the cases of the blind Bartimaeus and the unnamed demon possessed man. They were not brought by anybody. In either case, even when we don't have others to lift us up to God, He hears us where we are. Jesus shows particular gentleness with him. He sets him aside privately. Jesus doesn't use him as a public object lesson like He does the woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5:25–34) and the Canaanite woman (Mark 7:24–30). He touches his ears and tongue after spitting. A spit is thought to have healing powers in Jewish and Greek traditions. Apparently, this deaf and mute person did not know what is happening until Jesus touched him. His healing did not depend upon him. Then Jesus prayed, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” Although Jesus is God, He often prays to God. This shows His relationship with the God-head. He is separate from the Father (John 5:19–27). In fact, He "emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant" (Phil 2:7). Jesus' power comes from the Holy Spirit, not Himself (Mark 3:22–30). The healing was immediate. This corresponds directly with the work of the Messiah. As Isaiah says, "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy" (Isa 35:5–6). Although our healing may not be immediate today, there is hope for those of us who are suffering now. We might never see complete healing in this world. Those who insist that you will be totally healed if you have "enough faith" are false teachers. He charged them not to spread the news. But, the more zealous they proclaimed it. Physical healing isn't His primary mission. It is secondary to His more important purpose. That is, to reveal the way of salvation and train others to spread the gospel after He leaves. Listen and FOLLOW us on our podcast Spotify: http://bit.ly/glccfil_spotify Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-applepcast Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-googlepcast Audible Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-audible Follow us on various media platforms: https://gospellightfilipino.contactin.bio #gospellightfilipino #godswordfortoday #bookofMark