3.5.2015 Thursday of Lent 2 Mark 7:24-37 Jesus privately heals a deaf man
A man with deafness and a speech
difficulty is brought to Jesus. The method of healing is touching. Jesus put
His finger in the man’s ear and touched his tongue. Jesus looked to heaven in
prayer for power to heal. He sighed – a sigh of compassion or weariness? The
miracle was performed privately and He
asked for silence about it. But the people were so impressed that they could
not remain silent. They gave Jesus an evaluation: “He has done all things well.”[2]
This man is brought to Jesus. This is
what makes Jesus our Lord and Savior. John reminds us, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1) Jesus
entered our world to combat and defeat those forces, which held you captive;
the devil, world, and your sinful self. He came to forgive and set you free of
all these deadly forces.
Then comes
the word, Ephphatha, which means “be open” and the rest is history. Or is it?
The rest of the story is gospel! There is something similar about this word
Ephphatha – be open and the statement “It is
finished!” which Jesus will speak from the cross. There, on Calvary’s holy
hill, Jesus’ very lifeblood cries out Ephphatha for you! God was in Christ reconciling the world unto
Himself, not counting our sin against us.
It is this proclamation of the life,
death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which the Holy Spirit through Word and
Sacrament continues to speak to the deaf and mute in spirit to those who are
found to be dead in their trespasses and sins. There lies the power of God to
open ears to the good News of the kingdom and to loosen tongues into a glorious
confession that Jesus Christ is Lord.
O Lord, strong and
mighty, Lord of Hosts and King of glory: Cleanse our hearts from sin, keep our
hand pure, and turn our minds from what is passing away; so that at the last we
may stand in your holy place and receive your blessing; through Jesus Christ
our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever
and ever. Amen.[3]
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