One of the standard instruments for a doctor is the stethoscope. The stethoscope allows a doctor to tune out everything else and listen to what is going on inside our body. When we say that something hurts or does not feel normal, a doctor is best able to determine what is wrong with the help of instruments. Then, the doctor can prescribe a treatment to help us feel better.
Each day many sounds bombard our ears. One of the skills we learn as we grow up is how to filter out ambient sound to focus on what we want or need to hear. When we hear too many things, it is difficult for our brains to focus, which is why most of us turn down the radio when we are trying to back into a parking space. Our sense of hearing is a blessing when we are able to hear what is good for us.
When we are unable to hear, other ways of communication are necessary. We hear about a man who could not hear or speak well in our Gospel reading from Mark 7. At this point in his ministry, Jesus traveled through a less populated region where he was not as well known in order to have more focused time teaching his disciples. Still though, we read, 32 There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him. The people who brought the man to Jesus hoped he would cure him. Notice though, they had in mind how Jesus ought to perform his miracle. Jesus had a different goal in mind beyond simply placing his hand on this man to heal him. Instead, Jesus had a personal exam and individualized treatment plan in mind for him, so using another way of communicating Jesus was going to heal him.
We struggle to have balanced communication with God. Often our communications to God are on heavy on problems we have with solutions we want. We all have issues in our lives, and drowning out the ambient ones to focus on the real issue is a struggle. With all the issues blaring in our ear, we grab for quick fixes like either yelling our problems away or shrinking back from the world, or turning to Doritos, doughnuts, diets, drinks, drugs, downloads, dumbbells, etc. to distract or dull ourselves. Lost to our own issues, we too have a misguided approach when helping others opting for a cookie cutter, impersonal, impatient, assuming, etc. response. Our lack of listening to God leaves us spiritually unhealthy because we avoid hearing his healing word.
Jesus performed many healings so that we would listen to him tell us about the healing we all need. When the man who was deaf and could hardly talk was brought to Jesus, we hear how intentional Jesus was in the way he healed him in our Gospel reading from Mark 7, 33 After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. Jesus did not want the man distracted by the ambient sights of a large crowd, since it was likely the man relied heavily on his eyesight to compensate for his lack of hearing. So, he took him aside, which probably took some work. But now, the man could focus on Jesus.
Jesus guided the man through what he was going to heal. Jesus placed his finger where the issues were and was not afraid to make contact with what needed to be healed. The anticipation for something to happen may have made the man’s heart pound so that he could feel it in his ears. If he was feeling something, he still lacked the ability to put into words how he felt. Jesus next steps in the healing continue in Mark 7, 34 He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). 35 At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly. Jesus broke with the earthly focus and lifted his eyes to heaven. Then, the man saw him take a deep breath, and Jesus spoke his healing word.
We get to hear the actual word Jesus used to speak this man’s healing into existence. And obedient to the command of the Creator, who spoke in Genesis 1, 3 … “Let there be light,” and there was light. The once closed ears, bound tongue and confused speech were healed. These words also connect with Psalm 19, 1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. 3 They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Though this man could not hear, he had seen the glory of the heavens to which Jesus looked when he spoke. He had been touched by the awe of the heavens whose Creator is even more glorious. Now, healed he could hear his Creator and Savior speak to him.
We see that whatever the man needed for effective communication to happen, Jesus worked to make it happen. And as the man was healed with Jesus’ words, we understand this as the fulfillment of what had been communicated 700 years earlier in our Old Testament reading from Isaiah 35, 4 say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” 5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
When Jesus opened this man’s ears, he also opened a way into his heart. This man was now focused on Jesus and could hear the good news that Jesus had come to save him. Jesus traveled healing and performing miracles to show he was the prophesied Messiah and gain people’s attention so he could teach them what he would do to save us. Jesus summarized his work in the next chapter of Mark, Mark 8, 31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. Some of his miracles were done privately, but Jesus’ work to save us was done publicly with many witnesses, so we are sure that he did the work. Only Jesus had the power to save us, and he has done it.
Amazement overwhelms us when we are healed by Jesus. After the crowd heard what happened, we read in Mark 7, 36 Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. 37 People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” Understandably, the people were once again amazed at Jesus’ healing. His power and willingness to use it without cost was beyond anything they experienced in the world. Though they were eager to share what Jesus had done, he knew it was not with the intention to clearly communicate his greatest power to heal us from our sins and give eternal life in heaven. This is why he commanded them not to tell others what he had done.
We have a clear message to communicate about Jesus. We get to share that Jesus, “has done everything well.” We get to introduce people to the Jesus who took his time to heal a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and the Jesus who created the universe. These are some of the miraculous truths we use to introduce people to his true power. In our New Testament reading from Acts 3, Peter used a miracle to connect another man to the power of Jesus as we read, 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.
Notice that Peter does use a miracle, but he is also careful with the words he uses. He points to Jesus as the source of power. Whether we are blessed with wealth and heath and use those means to help others to be able to get the chance to share Jesus, or we are noticed for our contentment despite our lack of wealth or health, we point people to Jesus when we have their attention. In your own home, you have the attention of your children, even before they can speak. Tell them about Jesus. Many people in your life are lost in the ambient noise of the world. Take the time to learn how to communicate in a personal, tailored, patient and caring way with them. Then, tell them about Jesus.
One of the standard instruments for a doctor is the stethoscope. The stethoscope allows a doctor to tune out everything else and listen to what is going on inside our body. Then, the doctor can prescribe a treatment to help us feel better. We use the Scriptures to understand what is wrong with us and who can save us. Jesus came to save us from our sins, and he communicates his cure to us through his word. Healed by Jesus’ death and resurrection for the forgiveness of our sins, we are amazed and equipped to bring healing to all people by sharing that we are saved because Jesus has done everything well. Amen.
Gunnar Ledermann, Pastor Divine Peace Church
Gunnar Ledermann
I’m passionate about Rockwall’s vibrant community and actively engage with local non-profits and community organizations, including the Rockwall Chamber of Commerce, the City of Rockwall, and the Downtown Rockwall Association. My background includes a bachelor’s degree in Classical Languages and a master’s degree in divinity. Currently serving as a pastor at Divine Peace Church in Rockwall, I also enjoy spending time with my wife, Marinda, and our three children.
