Finger In The Ear?

June 18

Read: Mark 7:31-37

Finger In The Ear?

“And taking him aside from the crowd privately, (Jesus) put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue.” (v.33)

My Friend Brian Onken has taught me so much about HOW Jesus performs miracles. The miracle itself is important… no doubt… but we don’t often look at the manner in which Jesus works them. These ways and settings that Jesus works his miracles speak to the character and nature of the Father (who is telling him who/ how/ what) and of Jesus. Take this miracle for instance, it is one that Brian and I have had many chance to talk about.

The man who is brought to Jesus is deaf and unable to speak correctly. Why is it that Jesus heals him the way that he does? Could you imagine Jesus moving his finger towards your ear… let alone sticking his finger in your ear!?! It is weird in a way. Then think about Jesus spitting and touching his tongue! Have you ever had anyone besides the dentist touch your tongue with their hand? This was an extremely odd series of things to do. But consider the implications for the man himself. Here are some take aways.

Jesus gives full attention to those he is engaging with:

Jesus pulls this man aside, out of the crowd, and engages him fully and intimately. When we understand that this man cannot hear, then we realize that his use of vision and touch are extremely important. Jesus taking him out of the crowd means he is not distracted… it makes it easier for the two to communicate. Jesus is intensely personal with those he is healing and restoring.

Jesus speaks the language of those he is restoring:

Knowing that this man would rely on sight and touch to communicate also makes sense of why Jesus was so “tactile” in this healing. The man might have worried that he was apart form his friends… he might have thought, “now who is going to communicate for me?” Jesus speaks his “language” by using his hands and touching him. You see, Jesus knows how to communicate with us!

Jesus knows exactly where our problems are:

Jesus literally puts his finger directly on the problem! He sticks his fingers in the man’s ears. He touches his tongue. You see, Jesus touches our lives where we are hurting the most… he intersects with us where we are wounded and need help. This was no “general” miracle… but rather very specific. I bet when Jesus was moving his hand towards him, the man thought - “Oh my! He is going right for where I am disabled and lacking the most.” Jesus knows our wounds, hurts, and ills… and he is not afraid to “touch us” and be with us! God cares specifically for us, he knows what we need! Even the drawing out of the crowd is another example of this. Imagine not hearing and then the very first time your ears are opened you are in a giant crowd… that would be SHOCKING. Jesus brought him to the kindest place to perform this sort of miracle.

What an amazing picture for us regarding the character of the Father and of Jesus. God is working to engage us fully, drawing us from the crowd to be just with us! The Lord is willing to “speak our language” and “meet us where we are”. He knows what will communicate to us. He is showing us what he is doing, namely working to heal us, restore us, and make us “whole”. Jesus knows exactly where our problems are… he reaches out and touches us where we are hurting and wounded the most. This is the heart of the Father and the hand of the Son. So much more than the miracle itself! Have a great Saturday. Love you guys. - JDP