Encounter #28:

Does God Have Your Ears and Tongue?

Read: Mark 7:31-37

Jesus continues His missionary journey through Tyre and Sidon and Decapolis. Some friends bring a deaf and mute man to Jesus. Always bring your friends to Jesus. This deaf man had a speech impediment. He was “tongue-tied.” He could speak but with difficulty. Jesus took him away from the crowds. Having put His fingers in his ears, Jesus then spit and touched the man's tongue. He prayed, sighed and said, “Be open.” Immediately the man's ears opened. His tongue was loosed and he talked plainly.

Isaiah 35:1-6 prophesied that the Messiah would come and bring healing and deliverance. Jesus fulfilled the prophecy. Jesus had a variety of ways to minister to people: laid hands on them; spoke to them; rebuked; prayed; spit... And the results were healings and deliverances. Jesus sighed as He prayed because sin had wrecked many lives and the devil had deformed God's creation. Jesus is a “man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” And Jesus still has power over sickness, disease, sin and the devil. The man heard and spoke. The crowd was astonished beyond measure. “He has done all things well,” said the people. And Jesus still does the same.

This encounter tells us that we must bring people to Jesus, the devil wants us deaf and muted to the things of God and Jesus still does all things well. Does God have your ears? Are your ears opened to what the Lord says? Are you listening to the Lord? Does your tongue witness of His greatness? Does your tongue bring glory to the Lord? Allow Jesus to open your ears to His voice and use your tongue for His glory.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, open my ears to hear and understand Your voice and Your Word. Loosen my tongue to speak of You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Application: Bring someone to Jesus for salvation, healing and deliverance. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you and use you to set captives free.

Encounter Jesus: Realize that Jesus wants you well. He wants you whole. Prepare to be astonished at what He will do for you and through you. Say to the Lord that He has your ears and your tongue.