Jesus put his fingers in a man’s ears, then he proceeded to dip his finger in his own saliva, and after that he “touched” the man’s tongue. All this to heal him because he was deaf-mute (see Mark 7). Recently, I encountered a deaf-mute young lady at the grocery store, but two things stopped me from doing the same as Jesus did that day to bring healing: Well, three. First, I’m not Jesus; second, COVID and hygiene protocols, and third, I did not want to get kicked out of the store.
After my brief encounter with this young lady, I wished that I too could bring her to Jesus immediately in order to be healed, just like the people brought the man to Jesus on that day many years ago. But then I wondered if I was the one that needed healing that day, and not her. Let me explain: In the place where this miracle happened, the deaf-mute “were protected under Jewish law but classed with other groups (women, slaves, imbeciles, minors) not educated enough to keep the law.” Today, we too have marginalized and placed people in different “groups,” not just those with a disability, but others as well, and even while focusing on keeping not only the civil law, but God’s law also. An important observation is that deafness in the Bible is used both as describing a person unable to hear and as “symbolic and of inattentiveness to and rebellion against God” (Isa 42:18-20). One author says, “part of the future hope of the prophets is that the deaf will hear” (Isaiah 29:18). Many have chosen to turn a deaf ear to God’s voice, moral laws, and to the marginalized groups that we as Christians are called to help. Jesus helped them.
Today, I want God to open my ears, mind and heart. Many need our help, and the world seems to be getting harder and harder. In the Bible we have many references of having one’s ears “opened”, such as them being opened to obedience (Job 36:15), or, having “open ears to instruction” (Job 36:10-11), or how letting words sink into one’s ears was to understand thoroughly” (Luke 9:44), and how “open ears are a gift of God” (Psalm 40:6). I want that gift from God! I want to understand thoroughly how to best help someone in need, no matter the race, social class, gender, religion, or culture; this is who we are at Sligo, “All are gifted, and All are valued.”
As I was walking to the car, this young lady was driving off, and she made it a point to stop and wave to me. My heart was full. You see, we had immediately formed a bond, because we both were displaying our favorite sports team gear; yes, of course the New Orleans Saints. We had a whole conversation without even saying a word. She even gave me the universally-known heart sign, which is what Jesus asks us to do – love one another. You know, I believe with all my heart that one day Jesus will return and heal not only our ailments, but also our broken hearts and broken world too. Until that day, I need to invite Jesus into my heart daily, so that I can live with the assurance of salvation that He freely gives, and in order to have my ears, mind, and heart completely opened in order to know how to embrace, love others and live out the true gospel of Christ. I am fascinated by the part of the story where Jesus looked “up to the heaven” and “sighed” deeply and said, “Be opened” (verse 34). I believe that Jesus still sighs deeply as we accept Him as our LORD and Savior, and as we allow Him to open our ears as well. May God bless you, and may you receive His unconditional love, forgiveness, peace and joy.