Ephphatha!

Mark 7:31-37:

Again Jesus 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.”

Blog:

“Ephphatha!” is translated, per the Gospel, as “Be Opened!”  It is not a faint request, but rather is a very demanding exclamation.  Jesus often made demanding exclamations; including “Rise!”, “Be Still!”, “Listen!”, and on and on.  He made these exclamations in both public and private situations, but it’s the private ones that seem to stir our Souls when we read about them in Scripture.  Like the private Revelation made here in Mark 7, Jesus Promises us in Luke 8:17, “For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light.”  Whether He was Healing the sick, Terrorizing demons, or Raising folks from the dead (including Himself), even private Revelations are brought to “The Light”.  So, when we find ourselves in “lukewarm” chapters in our own Faith journeys, we must remember who we are in Christ and what He demands of all of us.  “Ephphatha!” is meant for us, too; so, we must constantly marinate in God’s Word to ensure that we continue to “Be Open” to what only God can do in each and every one of our own lives; as well as in the world.  For it’s only through our opened ears, eyes, and hearts, ruthless Trust, desperate Obedience to God and His Son, Jesus Christ, that we will arrive safely at Home in Heaven for all of Eternity.