Speak the Word; Watch the Power of God
By Kurt Bomar
Avery County
Mark 7: 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. 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. 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.”
This beautiful story of healing brings to mind three important elements that have relevance to us today.
First, notice Jesus took the man aside. This wasn’t done to draw attention to the healing but rather strictly for the compassion Jesus had for this man. As we minister to the needy we should be careful to keep our fingerprints out of public view. May our only motivation be compassion for the suffering person.
Second, Jesus touched him. He could have just spoken the words. But if He had, the man wouldn’t have heard them! Thus He met the man where he was. He was deaf, he needed a touch. I don’t think we often understand the power of physical touch. Touching shows that we identify with the suffering person and that we are not above them. It shows compassion that cannot be matched by mere words.
Jesus looked to Heaven. Jesus wasn’t relying on His own power to heal this man, He looked to His Father in Heaven for this gift of healing. The Bible tells us that Jesus “emptied” himself of His divine powers while on earth and wholly relied on His Father for His power. We’ve got to remember that it’s not about us, it’s about Him. We, as Christians, have at our disposal the riches of Heaven and our Father is just waiting for us to ask Him to move in the name of Jesus. Why are we so afraid to do it?
Finally, He spoke. This is the hard part. We don’t want to speak healing because we’re afraid it won’t happen. Remember that Jesus told His disciples to “speak” (not pray) to the mountain and it would be cast into the sea. If we speak healing and it doesn’t happen, that’s not our problem. We followed Scripture and left the results to God. But if it does happen…it could revolutionize our spiritual life!
Finally, this was physical healing. Perhaps we don’t see too much of that these days, but if we follow this pattern: touch people, relate to them where they are, and speak the word of God, the spiritually deaf ears will be opened and lives will be changed. Take a chance, and see what happens!
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Kurt Bomar is the pastor of Walnut Grove Church located in Avery County. You are welcome to join them on Sundays at 11:00 AM for worship! (When we are allowed to meet in the building again). You can read more Christian news from Kurt Bomar HERE.
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