Mark 7: 31-37 (NRSV)
Read Mark 7: 31-37 on biblegateway.com
Verse 31Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. Verse 32They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. Verse 33He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. Verse 34Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened." Verse 35And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Verse 36Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. Verse 37They were astounded beyond measure, saying, "He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak."
Devotion
“He even makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak” (Mark 7:37)
This morning I worked on a painting project at church. We retired guys (SMOGS—St. Mark’s Old Guys) meet every Thursday morning for breakfast/fellowship and then spend the rest of the morning doing odd jobs around our church building that just never seem to get done. My painting partner told me this story:
“I stayed out of the church for 29 years. I grew up in the Lutheran Church but left it, claiming to be an agnostic. As they were wheeling me into open-heart surgery, the last thing I can remember was saying a prayer. When I woke up after surgery the first thing I remembered thinking was, “Who am I trying to fool?”
Prayer
Heavenly Father, sometimes you do miracles and sometimes you do those miracles through us. Thank you for the miracle of science and the deep dedication and talent of all people who work in the medical profession. As our Great Physician, continue to keep your earthly staff about the business of doing miracles.