“Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.” Mark 7:31-35

“Jesus’ reputation as a miracle worker is now driving people’s reaction to his ministry. He is well known as a healer in Galilee, the region of Tyre and Sidon, and also Decapolis (the area of Ten Towns). Jesus can no longer operate in secrecy. It seems as if everyone has heard of him. However, as Mark will show in subsequent verses, the issue of Jesus’ concern has to do with the perception of the people. How can he call them to deeper discipleship if they see him only as a personal miracle worker? Jesus will re-assert his concern that people really know him as he wants to be known. This effort will mean conflict and misunderstanding in the following episodes in which we find Jesus. Yet despite this concern, he consistently shows personal, tender, and compassionate concern for the individuals in need while keeping his ministry from becoming just a traveling healing show.” (heartlight.org commentary)

I once posted this message on our sign out front of the church:

“A Closed Mouth Gathers No Foot”.

One of my members came to me and said “I don’t understand your message.” I explained to her that if we listen more, and talk less, we are less inclined to put our foot in our mouth — to say something that is offensive, or even something that is just plain stupid.

Jesus heals the deaf man and gives him two great gifts – the ability to hear, and the ability to listen. All of us can learn something from those who have learned the art of listening. It takes time to be a good listener. If you are a prolific talker, some would say you like to “hear yourself talk”. If you are a prolific listener, I would say you like to “listen to others”. Which do you think may make you wiser?

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, with so many demands on my time, I often find it hard to take the time to listen to my family and my friends. Please help me take the time I need not only to be good at giving advice, but more importantly to be a good listener. Amen.

Pastor Dave

“While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head. But some were there who said to one another in anger, “Why was the ointment wasted in this way? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her. But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. Truly I tell you wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.” Mark 14:3-9

“Mark moves us from a scene of some of the worst of human motivations against Jesus (Mark 14:1-2) to this scene — one of the most precious stories of love and appreciation for Jesus we find in the Gospels. This woman’s expensive sacrifice prepares both Jesus and us for his sacrifice which lies ahead.” (heartlight.org commentary)

If we want to pour something out entirely, there is no quicker way to do it than to break the item open entirely. If you have a bottle of anything, to pop open the top means you can pour it out, but in a controlled fashion. But, if you break it open, it will pour out, and there is no stopping the flow. In the same way, a lot of people want to give up their life to G-d, but usually only in a “controlled” fashion. They pour out a little here, and a little there, thinking they are giving in a manner that many will “see the good works that glorify our Father in heaven”. (Matthew 5:16)

This is not why Mary is remembered — at least according to many — and I agree. Mary did not just pour out a small amount over Jesus’ head, she shattered it (not over Jesus’ head) but shattered it in a manner that she could then pour it all on Jesus. She held nothing back, and because the ointment was so expensive, her deed is doubly blessed — she gave an expensive gift — she held nothing back.

When we give ourselves to G-d, we are giving an expensive gift — because each person is priceless. Dare we give G-d only a little here, and a little there? Or, should be break ourselves open and pour ourselves out to G-d? It is our decision….

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, I want to give all to you, all of myself, all of my attention, all of my possessions, but I hold so much back. May I learn to allow my life to be a fragrant sacrifice of praise to you. Amen.

Pastor Dave