Mark 7:31 “Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. 32 There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged him to place his hand on the man.
33 After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man's ears. Then he spit and touched the man's tongue. 34 He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, "Ephphatha!" (which means, "Be opened!"). 35 At this, the man's ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.”
Talk about diversity! This miracle in the life of Jesus is a perfect illustration of 1 Cor 12:4-6 which states “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.” Jesus has demonstrated many different expressions of the gift of healing. He has healed by authoritative command. He has healed by addressing demons. He has healed by laying hands on someone. But this example of Jesus ministry approach is an entirely new model for us to learn from.
In this passage Jesus is approached by a group of people who bring a deaf and partially mute man to Jesus to be healed. His ministry process is a demonstration of the practical considerations of personal ministry from the beginning. He recognizes the fact that the primary issue in need of ministry is this man’s deafness, but He is surrounded by a crowd of people who have come to witness His ministry. As a result He pulls the man aside, away from the crowd. The need is auditory so He seeks out a place where the man’s auditory and verbal capacities can be better tested. Too often many people today seek to apply faith without the practical consideration of context. Does the setting meet the need? Jesus is fundamentally practical in His approach to ministry. Very seldom do you see His dealings with the masses manifest any significant mystical qualities. For the most part He reserves those events such as walking on water, calming the storm, and being transfigured before them for His inner circle.
In this case however, Jesus moves directly from the practical to the unusual! Having secured a quieter spot Jesus now spits and uses the spit to touch the man’s tongue! Imagine anyone doing that in today’s church culture. If you were to do that today the person better be healed or it might be you who needs a miracle! (Just a thought!) Today’s ministry culture has developed its own acceptable forms and expressions for the Holy Spirit and it is amazing how reactionary the church can be when someone dares to step out of the accepted religious form. At this moment in Jesus’ life He is completely outside the box of religious protocol and yet completely in line with the Holy Spirit. 1 Co. 12:6 that we referenced earlier makes it clear that “there are different kinds of workings but the same God works all of them.”
Perhaps it would be valuable to use this miracle to emphasize a point. Many people relate to the scriptures from a fear based perspective. Fear of deception causes them to cling to the word of God as the limitations of what God can do. This miracle in the life of Jesus leads us to consider the possibility that we would be benefited to approach the scriptures from a different paradigm, a different point of view. When Jesus steps outside of the norms of our comfortable views of Christian experience perhaps His goal is to establish within our understanding the fact that the scriptures are examples of what God can do and how he works, NOT the limits of them. Fear would cause us to take any mystical expression of God that does not fit exactly the examples presented in scripture and respond to it as a deception.
How much bigger is God than our limited minds can comprehend? Have we made God to small by our fear orientations? God will never violate His character. God’s principles are sure and secure. And yet scripture also says Isa 55:9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Rather than stumbling over the means of the Holy Spirit’s ministry why not focus on judging the fruit. Jesus clarified this issue and established a simple test for us in Matt 7:18-20 “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” What has taken place in the life of the one who is touched by the experience?
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