Scripture: Mark 7:32-36
They brought to Jesus a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it.
Thought for the Day: We find the word immediately more than 40 times in Mark’s Gospel, creating a sense of urgency and intensity at every turn. It is fascinating how the pace is swift, yet Jesus places roadblocks by ordering the observers or firsthand recipients of the miracles to be silent. This juxtaposition that occurs often in Mark’s Gospel creates what is known as the Messianic Secret. As readers, we move rapidly (Mark is the shortest Gospel) toward the close of the story at the entrance to the empty tomb… with the conclusion (16:8) – So they [the women] went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. This leaves the readers as the symbolic holders of the Good News of Christ’s resurrection, yet we feel the urgency of the reoccurring word: immediately. We can no longer be like those who remained silent (the women) or ran away (the disciples). Instead, it is time for us to speak and to act swiftly! This mission is given to us.
Prayer: Provide me both a sense of urgency and intensity, O Lord on High, as I take the secret of the resurrection to the world. Amen.
TONIGHT
Men’s Gathering
Dinner and Study
at 7pm
Cramer Retreat Center
1800 Meadow Edge Lane,
Spring, TX 77388
And Wednesday
