EPHPHATHA : BE OPENED

 

Mark 7:31-37 talked about a man who could not talk and hear. Jesus healed him and gave him the ability to hear and talk. This man represents us in so many ways. 

In v 32 - 32 A deaf man with a speech impediment was brought to Him, and the people begged Jesus to lay his hands on the man to heal him.

- brought to him - in our lives there are people who tirelessly kneel down and pray for us. Your parents, pastors, churchmates, friends and siblings. 

In v 33 - 33 Jesus led him away from the crowd so they could be alone. 

- the man's healing was very personal. Jesus did not heal him in public it happened in private. 

Isaiah had prophesied regarding the time of Messiah: “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing” (Isa. 35:5-6).

Even David praised God for opening his ears and giving him the ability to hear and obey the word (Psalm 40:6)

Everyone of us starts off spiriutally deaf and spiritually mute. We cannot hear the truth of God and we can't even talk to God. 

Thanks to people who loved us so much, who kept praying for us and brought us to Jesus and let Him know our spiritual condition.  

Just like the deaf man - we were disconnected, isolated and unaware of the power of the Lord and His truth. We had very little knowledge of God. 

And because Jesus cares, He took us aside and restored us personally. When the Lord works in us He does it intimately with us. 

Let us reflect:

Several times if not most of the time we feel disconnected with the Lord - we experience spiritual paralysis - we are unable to receive Go'd love and are cut off from spiritual connections with the Lord. 

Do we allow the Lord to whisper to us - EPHPHATA! BE OPENED!

- Many people are praying for us - that's why it is always important to have fellowship even in times of our spiritual paralysis.

- Jesus is always waiting and willing to set us aside and restore us in AN intimate manner. BUT do we set a special time to get intimate with Him? Remember only in intimacy with the Lord that we receive restoration. 

EPHPHATA! BE OPENED!

- He wants you to hear what He is saying.

- He wants your mouth to open with praise and thanksgiving, with prayers for others and with the love for the lost.

- He wants to open your life to Him alone - be opened on where He wants you to go and to do. Be opened to changes and His new direction to your life.

AMEN.