6.4 Tongue-tied
The Power of Touch: Jesus’ Healing of the Deaf and Mute Man

Read Mark 7:31–37. Who was brought to Jesus, and what did Jesus do for him?

In Mark 7:31–37, we read about the healing of a man who was deaf and could hardly speak. This man was brought to Jesus by a group of people who clearly believed in His healing power. Jesus responded to the man’s situation in a very personal and compassionate way: He took him aside, away from the crowd, to give him the necessary attention and care.

The healing ritual that Jesus performed—the touching of the man’s ears and tongue, the spitting, and the sighing—might seem unusual to modern readers, but it demonstrates how Jesus directly and lovingly addressed the man’s problems. By touching the affected areas, Jesus showed His power to intervene and bring healing into the man’s life.

Jesus’ sigh is particularly significant. It not only expresses compassion for the man’s suffering but also a deeper sorrow over the spiritual deafness and muteness of many people who close themselves off to the truth and are unwilling to acknowledge Jesus as the Savior. This scene shows us that Jesus offers not just physical healing but also a deep concern for people to awaken spiritually and accept Him as their Redeemer.

In our everyday lives, this story is an invitation to turn to Jesus when we feel unable to speak about our faith or properly perceive the needs of others. Jesus can open our “deaf ears” so that we better understand and respond to the spiritual needs of those around us. He can loosen our “bound tongue” so that we find words of encouragement and faith to help others on their journey.

This healing reminds us that Jesus is capable of healing us both physically and spiritually. He calls us to trust Him and allow Him to guide us so that we can spread His light and love in our surroundings.

How do you use the gifts you have been given in terms of hearing and speaking? How do you apply them?

The way we handle the gifts of hearing and speaking is of great importance because these abilities are not just everyday tools but also powerful means to carry God’s love and truth into the world.

Hearing: Good listening is a valuable gift that allows us to understand the needs, concerns, and joys of the people around us. It means listening with empathy and patience, without making hasty judgments or becoming distracted. By truly listening, we can better respond to others’ needs and meet them with compassion. This gift can also be used to listen to God’s voice—through prayer, meditation, and reading Scripture—to recognize His guidance more clearly in our lives.

Speaking: The gift of speaking gives us the ability to share words of encouragement, wisdom, and love. How we choose our words greatly impacts the people around us. We can use this gift to proclaim the Gospel, comfort others, encourage them, and support them in difficult times. It’s important to use our words wisely and in a spirit of truth and love, to build others up and inspire them.

Applying in Daily Life: In everyday life, we can apply these gifts by consciously reaching out to others, listening attentively to them, and addressing their needs. We can strive to be honest, respectful, and encouraging in conversations. Furthermore, we should also seize opportunities to share our testimony of faith and bring the hope and love we have found in Christ closer to those around us.

Overall, it’s about seeing these gifts not just as tools for our own interests but as means through which we can serve others and promote God’s kingdom on earth. By putting our ability to hear and speak in the service of God, we can actively contribute to spreading His love and truth in our world.

The connection between the healing of the deaf man with a speech impediment in Mark 7:31–37 and our everyday lives and faith is profound and very relevant. This story shows us how Jesus not only brings physical healing but also spiritual and emotional restoration. It challenges us to reflect on the gifts of hearing and speaking that we have been given and how we use them in our daily lives.

1. Hearing and Understanding: In everyday life, hearing is not just about physically receiving sounds but also truly understanding and empathizing with others. Jesus healed the man to give him access to his community and life again. Similarly, we are called to listen attentively—not just with our ears but also with our hearts. This means listening to the needs, concerns, and joys of others and responding with understanding and empathy.

2. Speaking and Witnessing: The miracle Jesus performed by loosening the man’s tongue allows us to think about the power and responsibility of our words. In daily life, we have the opportunity to speak words of encouragement, love, and truth. Our faith calls us to choose our words wisely and use them to help others, offer comfort, and share the good news of the Gospel.

3. Spiritual Healing: The story reminds us that Jesus is still able to open our spiritual “ears” and loosen our “tongue” today. Many people are spiritually deaf or mute, unable to hear God’s voice or speak about their faith. Jesus can overcome these barriers if we open our hearts to Him and ask for healing. This means taking regular time for spiritual renewal through prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers.

4. Connection to Others: In our daily lives, we are often in community with other people. The story teaches us that true community is built through listening and communication. By caring for the spiritual and emotional needs of others and being ready to speak the right words at the right time, we can build bridges and be a blessing to others.

5. Humility and Dependence on God: The healing of the man also shows the need to turn to God in humility. The man could not help himself but had to rely on Jesus’ grace and intervention. Similarly, in our faith lives, we should recognize that we need God to be strengthened in our weaknesses and to use our gifts rightly.

In summary, this story challenges us to use the gifts of hearing and speaking consciously and responsibly. It reminds us that our words and listening are powerful tools to carry God’s love into the world. It encourages us not to neglect these gifts but to actively use them in our faith lives and interactions with others.

Use the gifts of hearing and speaking to carry God’s love and truth into the world.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-6-inside-out-6-4-tongue-tied-the-book-of-mark-living-faith/

August 7, 2024

DAILY BIBLE READING – Matthew Chapter 8

¹ When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.

² And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

³ And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

⁴ And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

⁵ And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,

⁶ And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.

⁷ And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.

⁸ The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.

⁹ For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

¹⁰ When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

¹¹ And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

¹² But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

¹³ And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

¹⁴ And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever.

¹⁵ And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.

¹⁶ When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:

¹⁷ That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

¹⁸ Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side.

¹⁹ And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

²⁰ And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

²¹ And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

²² But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.

²³ And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.

²⁴ And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.

²⁵ And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.

²⁶ And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

²⁷ But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

²⁸ And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.

²⁹ And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?

³⁰ And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.

³¹ So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.

³² And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.

³³ And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils.

³⁴ And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.

King James Version. Public Domain

Commentary

Introduction:

Matthew Chapter 8 describes a series of miracles and encounters that reveal the nature and power of Jesus. In this chapter, we see Jesus healing lepers, praising the faith of a Roman centurion who sought healing, and calming the storms on the Sea of Galilee. These events highlight not only the physical healing that Jesus brings but also the spiritual authority he holds over nature and the spiritual realm. The chapter also illustrates the seriousness of following Jesus and the profound importance of faith.

Commentary:

Matthew 8 is a powerful chapter that showcases the various dimensions of Jesus’ ministry. The healing of the leper and the centurion’s servant demonstrates Jesus’ ability and willingness to overcome both physical and social barriers. The centurion’s faith, despite not being a Jew, impressed Jesus so much that he highlighted it as an example of true faith. This shows that faith and a relationship with God are not bound by ethnic or cultural boundaries.

The episode of calming the storm is particularly significant as it illustrates the disciples’ human fear in the face of natural forces and Jesus’ divine calm in the midst of chaos. Jesus makes it clear to his disciples that true faith means trusting in his power and presence, even in the stormiest times.

The healing of the demon-possessed men in the region of the Gadarenes demonstrates Jesus’ absolute authority over the forces of darkness. Interestingly, the townspeople asked him to leave their area, indicating that they feared the transformative power of Jesus.

Summary:

Matthew Chapter 8 impressively demonstrates Jesus’ power over sickness, nature, and evil spirits, while emphasizing the necessity of deep faith and determined discipleship. Through his miracles and teachings, Jesus calls his followers to follow him without reservation and to trust in his divine power. This chapter reminds us that the faith that truly touches Jesus is one that is accompanied by trust, humility, and an open heart, regardless of the circumstances.

 

 

WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING – Ellen White | The Desire of Ages Chapter 52: The Divine Shepherd

This chapter is based on John 10:1-30.

Read online here

 

Commentary

In John 10:1-30, Jesus Christ reveals Himself as the “Good Shepherd,” a metaphor deeply rooted in the culture and hearts of the people of His time. This familiar image of a shepherd lovingly and protectively watching over his flock serves as a powerful parable for the close, personal relationship that Jesus maintains with His believers. He is not just a shepherd, but the Shepherd who is willing to lay down His life for His sheep—an expression of the highest form of love and devotion.

The promise that the Good Shepherd knows His sheep by name highlights the deep personal bond that Jesus has with each individual believer. He knows our worries, our fears, and our struggles. In a world full of uncertainties, the Good Shepherd offers security, guidance, and comfort. Jesus contrasts Himself sharply with the false shepherds of His time, who led the people astray and neglected their responsibility to the flock.

Through the image of the shepherd who goes ahead and leads his sheep to safe pastures, Jesus illustrates that the way to God cannot be reached through human wisdom or religious systems, but only through Him. He is the door to life, and only through Him can we find true fulfillment and peace. This image of the Shepherd who fights for and protects His sheep conveys the deep comfort and security found in following Jesus.

The Good Shepherd not only lays down His life for the sheep but also takes it up again to grant them eternal life. This willingness to sacrifice Himself shows the deep love of Jesus, a love that knows no bounds. It is a love that follows us into our darkest moments, rescues us from lostness, and leads us into fellowship with God.

Jesus’ call to follow His voice is an invitation to a life of abundance—a life characterized by His guidance and care. In Him, we find not only protection and provision but also the assurance that He will never abandon us. This Shepherd, who leads us through life, will ultimately bring us to our eternal home, where we will find complete security and joy in His presence.

 

 

WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING – Ellen White | The Desire of Ages Chapter 53: The Last Journey From Galilee

This chapter is based on Luke 9:51-56; Luke 10:1-24.

Read online here

 

Commentary

In Chapter 53 the final journey of Jesus from Galilee to Jerusalem is depicted, a journey marked by both internal and external challenges. With the foreknowledge of His impending suffering and death, Jesus altered His approach, deliberately turning toward the cross. Whereas He had previously avoided the attention of the masses, He now openly presented Himself, preparing the people for the impending climax of His earthly mission.

On this last journey through Galilee, Jesus taught intensively, using many parables to convey His message and prepare His disciples for the coming events. Despite the growing hostility from the religious leaders, Jesus remained steadfast in His mission, resolutely setting His face toward Jerusalem, fully aware that His sacrifice was necessary to save humanity.

The people’s reactions to Jesus’ final journey were mixed. While some readily accepted His teachings, others met Him with rejection and hostility. The Samaritans, who did not receive His message, and the cities that ignored His works and teachings, became cautionary examples of the danger of rejecting God’s offer of salvation.

This chapter highlights Jesus’ determination and obedience to the will of His Father, as well as His deep love and care for humanity. It shows us that the path of obedience and devotion is not always easy, but it ultimately leads to the fulfillment of God’s divine plan. The words and actions of Jesus on this final journey remind us that the true treasure lies in heaven and that if we set our hearts on God, we can become part of His eternal kingdom.

 

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/7-08-2024-matthew-chapter-8-believe-his-prophets/