Mark 7: 31-37
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The New
Testament Witness of the Apostle
Peter |
The Pulpit at Pilgrim's Rest Christ Covenant Reformed (PCA) |
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A long time ago, I learned that ear infections in little children at the time they are learning to speak can have long term implications on their speaking and reading abilities. And so there is almost always a relationship between how people hear and speak. The story is told of an elderly gentleman who was known for speaking loudly, complained that his wife was hard of hearing. She refused to admit it, and he sought the Doctor's advice on how to evaluate the severity of the problem. According to instructions he went home. Since she was in the kitchen he called from the front door, announced his presence and asked how long until supper. Hearing no response, he walked closer and repeated the process. Finally, standing right behind her he tried one more time. She replied that since she had already answered him three times already, the doctor must not have helped him with his hearing problem!
In the same vein, when I first learned that I needed tubes in my ears a few years ago, the Doctor tested me and informed me that I had what was called Trucker's Ear. I had driven for so many years with the window down that my ability to hear the upper register of tones is impaired. He went on to say that I probably had difficulty hearing women's voices and that I should be sensitive to the fact that my wife could easily be frustrated with my inability to hear her from any distance. He was right on the money in that diagnosis, as many of you ladies may know already. Recently I talked to one of the ladies of the church by phone and asked for her mother or father. She took it well and called to her husband to the phone. I heard her chuckling in the background!
These instances are all common to us in our extended family and work experiences. One of our substitute teachers, who has hearing aids continually has to deal with ornery students who love to take advantage of the situation. Now, the instances we have considered so far have in common a once viable ability of auditory senses.
And yet, we well know that some people are born deaf and are thus limited in their abilities to learn how to speak and communicate. Such is the character in our report today. His affliction is severe enough that Jesus communicates with him in a dramatic sign language to let him know what is about to happen. Thus we should understand the text in this regard, that the actions are not a necessary part of the miracle. The fingers in the ears, the touching of the tongue the looking to heaven with a heartfelt sigh all indicate that Jesus is communicating the source of power for what is about to happen.
Calvin, speaking from a less medically astute culture, makes these observations: "And they bring to him one who was deaf. The reason why they implored him to lay his hands upon him may be learned from passages which we have already considered; for the laying on of hands was a solemn symbol of consecration, and by means of it, the gifts of the Holy Spirit were also bestowed. And there is no doubt that this ceremony was frequently used by Christ; so that those men requested nothing but what they knew that he had been formerly in the habit of doing. On the present occasion, Christ employs other symbols; for he puts his spittle on the tongue of the dumb man, and puts his fingers into his ears. The laying on of hands would of itself have been sufficiently efficacious, and even, without moving a finger, he might have accomplished it by a single act of his will; but it is evident that he made abundant use of outward signs, when they were found to be advantageous. Thus, by touching the tongue with spittle, he intended to point out that the faculty of speech was communicated by himself alone; and by putting his finger into the ears, he showed that it belonged to his office to pierce the ears of the deaf."
So here we see that Calvin agrees that the man being healed is being told that Christ is the one who has the power to do this.
Usually, we read, like the gentile lady last week, that it is the faith of the one who makes the request that leads to the healing. Here in this instance, it is the family and friends of the man whose faith in Jesus leads to the healing itself. Like the gentile girl and the Centurion's servant, those who have been healed have been healed at another's request. In this situation, the man in question is present and the Lord lovingly makes known by sign language what must happen.
Calvin comments well on what we should learn from this instance: "Readers of sobriety and judgment will be satisfied with this single instruction, that we obtain from Christ, in answer to our prayers, both speech and hearing; for he pours his energy into our tongues, and pierces our ears with his fingers. Thus we may understand that just as the friends of this deaf-mute brought him to the Lord, so also do we and all the saints bring our loved ones to places where they may see and hear of Jesus Christ."
Now the down side of this instruction is the fact that we all have to admit that once we were lost, once we were blind, once we were deaf. Our inability to see and hear spiritually is not a minimal handicap as many hearing problems are. No indeed, our spiritual abilities are similar to this deaf-mute, the natural depravity of mankind is total. And unless, we are touched by the Holy Spirit, we would ever and forever remain deaf to the words of Christ and mute in our praise of Him for His mercy and grace.
Now, at the end of our passage, the participants are told to keep these healings quiet until a proper time. But what do you think you would do if suddenly at an advanced age you could suddenly hear and speak? Jesus is not hear seeking advertisement of His healing ministry, He is merely admonishing people to not miss the point of the miracle. Yes, literally speaking and hearing are marvelous abilities indeed, but of more importance is knowing who He is and what more He has done for us on the cross. Once I was blind, now I can see, runs the old old hymn. No one today would think that has anything to do with having been cured as a deaf-mute.
So it is with this miracle, there is a purpose in fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah and having the Son of God, the Messiah of Israel revealed for all to see. But, until that revelation is understood and people understand their ministry of witness, Jesus would have them keep quiet. Yet, the people in Decapolis were astonished and were unable to contain their enthusiasm. What of us today. Are we astonished that the spiritually blind, deaf and silent suddenly see, hear and glorify the God of heaven who walked in Palestine and revealed Himself in the Son?
We should be! To that end may we commit our hearts and minds to lovingly make our Lord and Master known. And like the friends of this physically handicapped man, let us bring our spiritually handicapped acquaintances before the throne of heaven, praying that they may know Him and go on to make Him known. Amen.
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Cole, Alan. |
Tyndale New Testament
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Keener, Craig S. |
The IVP Bible Background Commentary:
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Pringle, William |
Calvin's New Testament
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"Bringing the Light of the Reformation to Scripture" (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995) |
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B2b39 |
16 Jul 00 |