June 28
Mark 7:31-37
Don’t immediately blow these verses off as just another story of Jesus’ ability to heal. Even when we feel we have already read countless similar verses, we can still learn something new from each one. Today, we learn that Jesus responds to different people’s needs in different ways. You know how Jesus ends a lot of His parables by saying something like, “if anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”? Well, the man in the verses today didn’t have ears to hear (well, he had ears….you know what I mean)! Yet he still knew about Jesus and knew that Jesus could heal him. We know that all it takes is a mere touch or word from Jesus to heal someone, yet that is not what He did for this man. “Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue.” (vs. 33 NIV) Why? Well, the man could not hear or talk. Jesus couldn’t tell him he was healed, because the man wouldn’t understand. By touching the man’s ears Jesus was showing him that He would make him hear. And by spitting and touching the man’s tongue Jesus indicated that He would also give the man speech. Jesus cares about us as individuals. He understands exactly what we need, and He knows the best way to heal us.
On a similar note, The Holy Spirit speaks to us as individuals. Therefore the same few verses can reveal something amazing to one person, and something entirely different yet equally amazing to another. That’s why I love hearing your responses! Keep commenting!
Principle: Jesus responds to needs in uniquely individual ways.
Application:
1. Which friends and loved ones am I bringing healing?
2. Will I accept Jesus’ method and timing for bringing healing?
3. What is my reaction to what I see Jesus doing in circumstances and people around me?
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Interesting that Jesus "commanded" the man not to tell of what had been done; he didn't suggest. He commanded, and the man didn't listen with his new ears. In the back of my mind, I've always thought, "Well, it was kind of a good thing that no one listened to Jesus when he told them not to spread the word of His power." But even when those thoughts are there, I've tried hard to dismiss them and not dwell on them. "Somebody not obeying Jesus and it being a good thing; how does that work?"
ReplyDeleteYesterday, the lesson Joe and I discussed with our youth class was about God's command to love. He didn't suggest; He commanded. So today that word stood out to me in the verses.
So the man's failure to obey Jesus' command turned out okay because other people were told of Jesus; after all, God can work all things together for the good (I believe for His glory as well as for individuals in Him.) But what would have been the outcome if the man would have practiced the art of listening and obeying? I'd really like to know, but I won't because it didn't happen. Maybe I need to be very careful to listen and to respond to His commands so that I don't miss out on knowing what God was up to with His way and not mine. (Not that God is or will ever be limited by my actions but more that my actions do matter to Him.)
The end of this passage stood out to me. vs 37 "People were overwhelmed with amazement" (NIV) God has His way of doing things and in His time. We usually do not understand or sometimes agree with the way He is doing things. But in the end we are always amazed at how nicely His planned worked. Sometimes I have even said there is no way I could have done this last year, etc.
ReplyDeleteI know He has great plans, but I think I will always be amazed at how well He plans things for my life.