“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.”
—Mark 7:32
Jesus took the man from the crowd and finding a quiet spot; He looks at him with compassion. He puts his fingers in the man’s ears then He spits on His fingers and touches the man’s tongue.
He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). (Mark 7:34)
Immediately, the man could hear and speak. He had spent his whole life feeling unimportant. Without a voice, he couldn’t speak up for himself in an argument. With difficulty hearing, the other kids probably made fun of him.
But today, he was healed. Today, his life has begun for the second time. Can you imagine his happiness? A tongue that once struggled to speak simple syllables can now sing a love song. Ears that once heard nothing now hear the birds chirping and water flowing.
It’s easy to take for granted simple pleasures like singing along with the radio or hearing the pitter patter of raindrops on a tin roof. Speaking and hearing are precious gifts from Your Savior.
God, please open my eyes to the blessings You’ve poured out on me. Help me to live with a heart that’s always grateful and let me never forget all You’ve done for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
