Five-star Service
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father. I know You are at work in the world around me each day, and I praise You.
Read Mark 7:31-37
[31] Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. [32] There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him. [33] After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. [34] He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). [35] At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly. [36] Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. [37] People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
How did these people react to Jesus' healing the man?There’s been quite a bit of deafness in our journey with Jesus and the disciples this week, both from the Pharisees and the disciples themselves. The deaf man wanted a quick fix from “Mr. Miracle” (32), yet Jesus wanted to communicate what he was doing in a way that the man would understand. So he took time and used signs (33-35) to explain that he was praying for his ears and his tongue, and spoke to him in his own language. The man would have understood what happened and received faith as well as healing. Once again, Jesus says, “Please be quiet,” but is not obeyed (36). Look at how the people describe Jesus (37), as they begin to glimpse faith and action together. Soon Peter will get it too, and understand. Where are we deaf? And dumb? And where do we need to communicate more clearly our faith and the power of Jesus? How often do we stay at home or in church discussing God’s story because that feels safer? Jesus has called us to live out our part in God’s story and to tell others about what he has done in our lives.
Apply
What would you tell others God has done in your life? What might God be calling you to do well today?
Closing prayer
Lord, open my eyes, ears, mouth and heart to see You at work in my life and share it with others.
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