Sunday, week four: Openness (Devotions for Lent from the Gospel of Mark)

Jesus sticks his fingers in the man’s ears, spits in his hand, and touches it to the man’s tongue. Then gazes towards heaven, sighs, looks at the man and says, “Ephphatha.” He speaks directly to his body parts, as if they are alive and can take orders.

He has done this before, this speaking to things that don’t seem to be alive. Storms, fevers, invisible spirits and demons, and now ears and a tongue.

“Be still.”

“Come out.”

“Be opened.”

They all obey. They all comply. There is no contest. Jesus has complete authority.

Jesus performs this latest miracle in private, but when the deaf man appears able to hear and speak plainly, everyone knows what has transpired. Jesus orders these “witnesses” to keep quiet, but they cannot contain themselves. They, like the ears and tongue, are quite open.

From the very beginning of Mark’s story, Jesus has been proclaiming, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” He has also reiterated that proclamation of this message is his ministry.

Apparently the “repentance” of tied tongues, closed ears, and raging storms is easily accomplished. Jesus speaks to them, and immediately they make 180-degree turns. But people are another matter. Jesus commands people again and again, but they ignore him completely and keep doing what they’ve always done. They act from their emotions and reactions, completely disregarding him.

In fact, people seem to be the only things in Mark’s story that disobey Jesus.

Text for the day:

Mark 7:31-37

Things to think about:

There are debilitating conditions in people and circumstances in the world that Jesus sees as distinct and animated entities that can be spoken to and commanded.

Things to do:

Practice seeing people as whole, complete, and perfect. Refuse to interact with their illnesses, complaints, or failures. Tell those things (and the ones related to them) to be quiet.

Jesus, command me.