Being disabled in any way is tragic, particularly if one becomes blind or deaf, as without special training and aid, those disabilities can close one off from the world. This was particularly the case in Biblical times. This is particularly true with those who are deaf. Without the ability to hear or speak, communication with others is more difficult, and then it is easier to become shut off from others in the community and the world. In our Scripture for today we see a deaf and mute person brought by their loved ones to Jesus for healing. Let’s take a look at this healing.
As our Scripture opens, Jesus had just left the area of Tyre and Sidon, which were two Gentile cities along the Mediterranean coast, in present day Lebanon. He returned to the area around the Sea of Galilee, where most of His ministry had taken place. When word got around that Jesus had returned, a family brought a loved one to Him, one who was deaf and mute. At this time there was nothing that anyone could do for someone who was deaf. There were no medical procedures that could be done, and no hearing aides. If the deaf person was a child, there were no education opportunities for them, and any sign language was primitive, and likely only understood by the immediate family. The world was effectively closed to them.
This family must have heard about all the different miracles that Jesus had performed for others. He had healed the blind, giving them sight again. He had healed lepers, making them “clean” again. Jesus had fed multitudes with only food enough for one, He calmed storms, cast demons out, and many other miracles. They desperately wanted a miracle for their own son, and begged Jesus to help (vs. 31-32).
For a moment, let’s look at this from the boy or young man’s perspective. Being deaf for many years, perhaps his whole life, he could not hear what his family was saying when they would have been talking about Jesus. He did not hear when they heard that Jesus was back in town, and that the family was hoping that perhaps He could help him. If he had been blind, crippled, or any other illness, he would have heard their plans, and been told what they were going to do. He would have heard all about Jesus, the miracles He had performed, and the message He preached. Not this young man, though. All of a sudden his family takes him by the arm, walks him through town, and up to this stranger. They bring him forward, and then probably step back a bit. He must have wondered what was going on. Who is this Person, and why is my family handing me over to Him? Why is there such a commotion?
Jesus realized this. He had compassion on the deaf man, and realized he must be scared, or at least very confused. So Jesus took the young man a short distance away from the crowds, and put His fingers in his ears, and also touched his tongue (vs. 33). We wonder why Jesus would do such an odd thing. Remember, being deaf, the young man did not know what was going on. This was possibly a way for Jesus to let him know what He was going to do, a way of “signing” to him that He was going to heal his ears and speaking ability. Then Jesus spoke one word, “Ephphatha”, which is an Aramaic or Chaldean word meaning “be opened” (vs. 34).
Immediately he is healed of his deafness and he has the ability to speak plainly. He could hear, hear his family and loved ones’ voices, hear the sounds of the village, laughter, music, the sounds of nature. His ears are now opened. The world is opened to him, and with his ability to now speak, he is opened to the world. He also now has the ability to hear for himself the message of Jesus and salvation.
Jesus then tells the family and those around to not go telling everyone of this miracle. However they did not heed His wishes, and told everyone they met (vs. 36-37). Showmen and magicians, along with tricksters and scammers, like to perform their tricks and shows in front of crowds. Jesus had no desire to be viewed as a local showman. Jesus often took the person He was ministering to away from the crowds. By doing this in private, the Lord’s acts of compassion couldn’t be viewed as mere crowd pleasing gimmicks. Jesus’ instructions against telling others disassociated His miracles from common tricks. Jesus' purpose for healing was not to amuse and entertain crowds, but to bear witness to the power of God.
In closing, are you open to the Lord and His message? Have you opened your heart to Jesus as your Savior? Are you open for Him to use you in a special way in our family, church, and neighborhood? As Jesus said to this young man, He says to us, as well, “Be opened!”
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