1. 1. Mark 7:31-37 Jesus cures a deaf Man with a speech impediment Copyrighted material that appears in this article is included under the provisions of the Fair Use Clause of the National Copyright Act, which allows limited reproduction of copyrighted materials for educational and religious use when no financial charge is made for viewing. Catholic Lectionary. (2009). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
2. 2. 31 Again he left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis. 32 And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. 33 He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the mans ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; 34 then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, Ephphatha! (that is, Be opened!)
3. 3. 35 And (immediately) the mans ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. 36 He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. 37 They were exceedingly astonished and they said, He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and (the) mute speak. Catholic Lectionary. (2009). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
4. 4. Jesus traveled to Decapolis, a Gentile region, which again confirms that Jesus offers the hope of salvation to the Gentiles as well as the Jews. The Apostles do not seem to understand that He is the Son of God and the Fathers representative to the world (cf. 8:17-21). This miracle is a partial fulfillment of Isaiah 35:2;5-6 which will be completed in the curing of the blind man in Mark 8:22-26. Isaiah 35:2 They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God. 5Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf be cleared;
5. 5. 6then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy. In both healings the afflicted person is brought to Jesus by others. In both healings Jesus takes the afflicted away from the crowd and In both cases He touches them and uses spit from His mouth to cure them. In both healings Jesus requested secrecy. In these two miracles Mark (chap. 7 deaf and 8 blind) shows Jesus as the perfect fulfillment, the promised Messiah of the Isaian prophecies and the Savior of the entire world.
6. 6. Consider also that others brought the afflicted to Jesus, just as someone brought you to Jesus and the church. Your faith in Jesus separates you from the non-believing world and makes you a better person. Consider also that through the Scriptures, the Word, Jesus touched your heart, and mind, hearing His Word changed you from the spiritually deaf, to a faithful follower whose life has been changed forever. The curing of the spiritually deaf happens every day but we like the apostles we tend to overlook it, instead of celebrating it.