David Bahn – Reflections

Mark 7:36-37

And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. ³⁷ And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Someone once said that if this man had been a Lutheran, he would have obeyed Jesus’ command to tell no one! That may be a bit harsh, but it has a ring of truth to it. We Lutherans aren’t particularly known for being overly expressive or evangelistic. I have a friend, however, who is Episcopalian. He once remarked that the Episcopalian manner of evangelism is to build the most beautiful aquarium next to a river and hope that the fish jump in. Now that’s harsh!

On the other hand, notice the tenor and substance of the evangelism. It flowed from a genuine delight in what Jesus had done. It gave glory to Jesus: “He has done all things well.” It exhibited an excitement in what Jesus had done: “He even [emphasis added] makes the deaf hear…” This is no trumped-up, overly emotional effusiveness. Nor is this some sort of law-imposed, duty-driven task. There is no knocking on doors or large group evangelistic crusade strategy here. These people simply saw what Jesus had done, were genuinely amazed by it, and out of that amazement and delight told others what they had seen and experienced.

What if you were actually to see Jesus at work in your life? What if you saw his impact in the life of a loved one? What if, therefore, you were simply to tell your family and friends about this? The tomb is empty. Jesus is alive. That reality has changed countless lives – perhaps even yours. It has changed the course of history. It’s a greater miracle even than this healing.

Do people you know need to hear of Jesus’ miraculous and gracious power? It’s OK to tell them.

Mark 7:31-37

Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. ³² And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him.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. ³⁶ And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. ³⁷ And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”