6.4 Tongue-tied
The Power of Touch: Jesus’ Healing of the Deaf and Mute Man

Read Mark 7:31–37. Who was brought to Jesus, and what did Jesus do for him?

In Mark 7:31–37, we read about the healing of a man who was deaf and could hardly speak. This man was brought to Jesus by a group of people who clearly believed in His healing power. Jesus responded to the man’s situation in a very personal and compassionate way: He took him aside, away from the crowd, to give him the necessary attention and care.

The healing ritual that Jesus performed—the touching of the man’s ears and tongue, the spitting, and the sighing—might seem unusual to modern readers, but it demonstrates how Jesus directly and lovingly addressed the man’s problems. By touching the affected areas, Jesus showed His power to intervene and bring healing into the man’s life.

Jesus’ sigh is particularly significant. It not only expresses compassion for the man’s suffering but also a deeper sorrow over the spiritual deafness and muteness of many people who close themselves off to the truth and are unwilling to acknowledge Jesus as the Savior. This scene shows us that Jesus offers not just physical healing but also a deep concern for people to awaken spiritually and accept Him as their Redeemer.

In our everyday lives, this story is an invitation to turn to Jesus when we feel unable to speak about our faith or properly perceive the needs of others. Jesus can open our “deaf ears” so that we better understand and respond to the spiritual needs of those around us. He can loosen our “bound tongue” so that we find words of encouragement and faith to help others on their journey.

This healing reminds us that Jesus is capable of healing us both physically and spiritually. He calls us to trust Him and allow Him to guide us so that we can spread His light and love in our surroundings.

How do you use the gifts you have been given in terms of hearing and speaking? How do you apply them?

The way we handle the gifts of hearing and speaking is of great importance because these abilities are not just everyday tools but also powerful means to carry God’s love and truth into the world.

Hearing: Good listening is a valuable gift that allows us to understand the needs, concerns, and joys of the people around us. It means listening with empathy and patience, without making hasty judgments or becoming distracted. By truly listening, we can better respond to others’ needs and meet them with compassion. This gift can also be used to listen to God’s voice—through prayer, meditation, and reading Scripture—to recognize His guidance more clearly in our lives.

Speaking: The gift of speaking gives us the ability to share words of encouragement, wisdom, and love. How we choose our words greatly impacts the people around us. We can use this gift to proclaim the Gospel, comfort others, encourage them, and support them in difficult times. It’s important to use our words wisely and in a spirit of truth and love, to build others up and inspire them.

Applying in Daily Life: In everyday life, we can apply these gifts by consciously reaching out to others, listening attentively to them, and addressing their needs. We can strive to be honest, respectful, and encouraging in conversations. Furthermore, we should also seize opportunities to share our testimony of faith and bring the hope and love we have found in Christ closer to those around us.

Overall, it’s about seeing these gifts not just as tools for our own interests but as means through which we can serve others and promote God’s kingdom on earth. By putting our ability to hear and speak in the service of God, we can actively contribute to spreading His love and truth in our world.

The connection between the healing of the deaf man with a speech impediment in Mark 7:31–37 and our everyday lives and faith is profound and very relevant. This story shows us how Jesus not only brings physical healing but also spiritual and emotional restoration. It challenges us to reflect on the gifts of hearing and speaking that we have been given and how we use them in our daily lives.

1. Hearing and Understanding: In everyday life, hearing is not just about physically receiving sounds but also truly understanding and empathizing with others. Jesus healed the man to give him access to his community and life again. Similarly, we are called to listen attentively—not just with our ears but also with our hearts. This means listening to the needs, concerns, and joys of others and responding with understanding and empathy.

2. Speaking and Witnessing: The miracle Jesus performed by loosening the man’s tongue allows us to think about the power and responsibility of our words. In daily life, we have the opportunity to speak words of encouragement, love, and truth. Our faith calls us to choose our words wisely and use them to help others, offer comfort, and share the good news of the Gospel.

3. Spiritual Healing: The story reminds us that Jesus is still able to open our spiritual “ears” and loosen our “tongue” today. Many people are spiritually deaf or mute, unable to hear God’s voice or speak about their faith. Jesus can overcome these barriers if we open our hearts to Him and ask for healing. This means taking regular time for spiritual renewal through prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers.

4. Connection to Others: In our daily lives, we are often in community with other people. The story teaches us that true community is built through listening and communication. By caring for the spiritual and emotional needs of others and being ready to speak the right words at the right time, we can build bridges and be a blessing to others.

5. Humility and Dependence on God: The healing of the man also shows the need to turn to God in humility. The man could not help himself but had to rely on Jesus’ grace and intervention. Similarly, in our faith lives, we should recognize that we need God to be strengthened in our weaknesses and to use our gifts rightly.

In summary, this story challenges us to use the gifts of hearing and speaking consciously and responsibly. It reminds us that our words and listening are powerful tools to carry God’s love into the world. It encourages us not to neglect these gifts but to actively use them in our faith lives and interactions with others.

Use the gifts of hearing and speaking to carry God’s love and truth into the world.

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