August 26, 2026
Healed - Part 3
Mark 7:33-35
08/26/2026
33 And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he
put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting
touched his tongue.
34 And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to
him, ``Ephphatha,'' that is, ``Be opened.''
35 And his ears were opened, his tongue was released,
and he spoke plainly. (ESV)
Our prayer this week asks God to enable us to do the good
works which serve Him by serving our neighbor. It reflects the
love of the friends and family of the deaf man in this week's
Gospel lesson.
Almighty and merciful God, by Your gift alone Your
faithful people render true and laudable service. Help
us steadfastly to live in this life according to Your
promises and finally attain Your heavenly glory.
Loving friends and family brought a deaf man with a speech
impediment to Jesus for healing. Saint Mark recorded:
And taking him aside from the crowd privately, [Jesus]
put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting
touched his tongue. And looking up to heaven, he
sighed and said to him, ``Ephphatha,'' that is, ``Be
opened.'' And his ears were opened, his tongue was
released, and he spoke plainly.
Jesus used gestures to show the man that He was going to do
something to open his ears and to enable him to speak. The
healing came by the word spoken by Jesus, a word that was spoken
after Jesus acknowledged the power of the Father to restore
creation. God's Word is powerful. It creates, it restores, it
brings what God promises, namely life everlasting for the sake of
Christ Jesus.
May our Lord grant that our ears may be opened to hear the
good news of salvation by grace through faith for the sake of
Christ. Amen.