Genesis 49:1-28
1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1
March 15, 2010
Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an evil spirit came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter. First let the children eat all they want, he told her, for it is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs. Yes, Lord, she replied, but even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs. Then he told her, For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter. She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.
Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged him to place his hand on the man. After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man's ears. Then he spat and touched the man's tongue. He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, Ephphatha! (which means, Be opened!). At this, the man's ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly. Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. People were overwhelmed with amazement. He has done everything well, they said. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak. -Mark 7:24-37
Mark assures us that there is absolutely no reason to doubt any of God’s promises or wonder about the sufficiency of His plans for us. Why? Because His promises are all based on the One whose word and work are totally reliable. He has always delivered on what He has promised.
He has perfectly met all our needs. Mark convinces us to count on Jesus Christ because He has done all things well. “He has done all things well” says Mark. This is there definitive conclusion of the men who brought their deaf and speech-impaired from to Jesus for healing. It might sound strange the way Mark put it in the original Greek text but he writes it this way to bring out the emphasis of these friend’s exclamation “Well (Kalos) all things He has done!” A standard of excellence has been stamped on everything Jesus has done.
Jesus does everything well. Christ always does what is exactly appropriate, just, right and totally sufficient for the situation.
Everything that Jesus does is done in just the right way, the best way, - the perfectly sufficient and appropriate way. The friends of the man who was healed praise the Savior’s action which is all inclusive. Literally everything Jesus has done meets the standard of perfection.
These men were eyewitnesses of Jesus perfect healing of their friend in a way that was totally adequate and just for him. They observed Christ’s deep compassion for their friend and His penetrating understanding of the man’s need. They watched as Jesus sensitively led their friend away from the confusion and sensation of the crowds so he could focus his full attention on the Healer. They marveled when they saw the personal, reassuring, intimate touch Jesus gave to their friend’s ears and tongue. And their exuberant exaltation of Jesus could be contained no longer when their friend, so long imprisoned by his impediments, was set free for the joys of hearing and speaking. No wonder they couldn’t contain their testimony about the Lord, even though He requested their silence. Who wouldn’t want to tell the world? He has done all things well!
Grant, merciful Lord, to Your faithful people pardon and peace that we they may be cleansed from all their sins and serve You in a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Collect for the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost Lutheran Book of Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House St. Louis
1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1
March 15, 2010
Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an evil spirit came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter. First let the children eat all they want, he told her, for it is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs. Yes, Lord, she replied, but even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs. Then he told her, For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter. She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.
Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged him to place his hand on the man. After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man's ears. Then he spat and touched the man's tongue. He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, Ephphatha! (which means, Be opened!). At this, the man's ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly. Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. People were overwhelmed with amazement. He has done everything well, they said. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak. -Mark 7:24-37
Mark assures us that there is absolutely no reason to doubt any of God’s promises or wonder about the sufficiency of His plans for us. Why? Because His promises are all based on the One whose word and work are totally reliable. He has always delivered on what He has promised.
He has perfectly met all our needs. Mark convinces us to count on Jesus Christ because He has done all things well. “He has done all things well” says Mark. This is there definitive conclusion of the men who brought their deaf and speech-impaired from to Jesus for healing. It might sound strange the way Mark put it in the original Greek text but he writes it this way to bring out the emphasis of these friend’s exclamation “Well (Kalos) all things He has done!” A standard of excellence has been stamped on everything Jesus has done.
Jesus does everything well. Christ always does what is exactly appropriate, just, right and totally sufficient for the situation.
Everything that Jesus does is done in just the right way, the best way, - the perfectly sufficient and appropriate way. The friends of the man who was healed praise the Savior’s action which is all inclusive. Literally everything Jesus has done meets the standard of perfection.
These men were eyewitnesses of Jesus perfect healing of their friend in a way that was totally adequate and just for him. They observed Christ’s deep compassion for their friend and His penetrating understanding of the man’s need. They watched as Jesus sensitively led their friend away from the confusion and sensation of the crowds so he could focus his full attention on the Healer. They marveled when they saw the personal, reassuring, intimate touch Jesus gave to their friend’s ears and tongue. And their exuberant exaltation of Jesus could be contained no longer when their friend, so long imprisoned by his impediments, was set free for the joys of hearing and speaking. No wonder they couldn’t contain their testimony about the Lord, even though He requested their silence. Who wouldn’t want to tell the world? He has done all things well!
Grant, merciful Lord, to Your faithful people pardon and peace that we they may be cleansed from all their sins and serve You in a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Collect for the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost Lutheran Book of Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House St. Louis
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