“He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, ‘Ephphatha’ (which means, ‘Be opened!’). At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.”Mark 7:34-35
This man had been brought by his friends to Jesus. We do not know if the man had in some way asked his friends or if they took it upon themselves to seek out the Healer. Not that it mattters. Jesus saw the faith and healed.
It is easy to get down in the dumps and want to shut out the world. To slap our hands over our ears and tune it all out. At those times, I hope you and I have dear friends who will encourage us to go to Jesus.
With a deep sigh, feeling all your hurt and confusion , Jesus will call upon the heavens for you. He will open your heart and heal it. He will open your mind to understand His Word and open your soul to receive His Spirit once again. When Jesus says “Open”, may we, just like this man, suddenly be able to hear Him clearly and to speak plainly to others of His glory and love.
But there is a catch, isn’t there? We have to be willing to be open to Him. We also need to be tuned into others, as the man’s friends were, to open our senses to their needs. Then we can lead them to the Savior to be opened as well.
On the cross, Jesus stretched out His arms and opened Himself to receive our sins. He opened the gates of Heaven for us to enter. All we have to do is be open to receive. I hope You feel Him saying “Ephphatah” to you today, and every day.
Dear Lord, You open Your arms waiting for us to rush in and be healed. May You love envelope us today so we can hear Your Word, speak it plainly ot others and draw them to You as well. Open our hearts and minds to receive you today into our lives, and every day. Let us never be deafened by the world, but clearly hear Your voice calling us into fellowship with You. Amen.
“O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.” Psalm 51:15
