Contemplative Bible Reading

Mark 7:32-35 (New Living Translation)

³² A deaf man with a speech impediment was brought to him, and the people begged Jesus to lay his hands on the man to heal him.

³³ Jesus led him away from the crowd so they could be alone. He put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then, spitting on his own fingers, he touched the man’s tongue. ³⁴ Looking up to heaven, he sighed and said, “Ephphatha,” which means, “Be opened!”³⁵ Instantly the man could hear perfectly, and his tongue was freed so he could speak plainly!

Deaf people don’t speak clearly. The reason is simple – they don’t hear people speaking. They don’t know the sound of “clear speech.” One result is that the muscles needed to manipulate the tongue and mouth for clear speech are not developed. The deaf person has not exercised those muscles.

Now consider verse 35:

his tongue was freed so he could speak plainly.

In an instant, years of muscle development occurred. It was like Jesus sped time for this person. The muscles in his mouth  jumped over those years.

I don’t understand how that could happen. I don’t understand the abilities of God; I don’t understand His power of His physical creation. Praise God.