Isaiah 35:4-7a; James 2:1-10, 14-18; Mark 7:24-37

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

It’s a lot of fun watching a child grow up, watching them learn and grow. One aspect though of their growth and learning is learning how to speak. First words are of course a big deal. So too when they can finally communicate better what they need. I’ve loved watching my son grow and learn new words and hear him come up with ideas that are all his own. But we know that language is something that is only learned through hearing.

This is the issue for those that are born deaf. Without the ability to hear, language is much harder to master. While I’m able to annunciate words to help my son learn, those who can’t hear have no idea what the difference is between words without additional help. This is why the Church goes to great lengths to help the deaf “hear” the word when they otherwise couldn’t.

Yet, in our Gospel lesson this week, Jesus encounters a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment. Jesus had already done some pretty amazing things, so his friends or family brought him to Jesus so Jesus could heal him. For thus we read, “And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly,” Mark 7:35. Jesus opens his ears, looses his tongue, and gives him back the ability to speak. 

I never wish to make light of someone else’s limitations. I wish like Jesus that I could give hearing back to the deaf, sight to the blind, strength to the weak, health to the ill, and so on. Yet, of course, that is far beyond my capability. Yet, one thing that Jesus’ interaction with this deaf man teaches us is that hearing and speaking are always inevitably linked. What we hear, we speak. If we have trouble speaking about faith, speaking about Christ, it’s because we have not heard enough. Our issues with speaking always come from a lack of listening. Especially in our sin, we will shut our ears off to hearing God’s word so that our tongues become tied.

“O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise,” (Ps. 51:15). When our ears have listened to Christ, we are inevitably led to speak. We cannot help it. God’s word is meant to come into our ears, dwell in our hearts, so that it may loose our tongue to declare his praise. This is what the people said afterwards, “And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, ‘He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak,” Mark 7:37. Indeed, Jesus does all things well. He does well in speaking forgiveness for us through his cross. He has died for us so that now, we may be able to proclaim his praises through all the world! 

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

O Lord, let Your merciful ears be open to the prayers of Your humble servants and grant that what they ask may be in accord with Your gracious will; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!