Mark 7:37 And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.
In Mark, chapter 5, we read about a demoniac who lived among the tombs in the country of the Gadarenes. He was a pitiful individual who was driven by a horribly dark force. This man was totally beyond human help, breaking every type of restraint used against him while physically mutilating himself due to his spiritual pain. Everyone had given up on this poor soul as a hopeless case. However, one day Jesus intervened, and the man’s desperate situation immediately changed. Despite the spiritual healing, the citizens of the region did not understand. Frightened by the marvelous miracle, the residents asked Jesus to leave their country.
Once the demoniac was perfectly restored to his right mind, he pleaded to accompany Jesus. Mark 5:18 Mysteriously, Christ refused, telling the man to speak to family and friends instead. Mark 5:19-20
The operation of God’s will is often puzzling since we cannot see the future outcome. While Jesus instructed some to pick up their cross and follow Him, yet He refused to let the demoniac come along.
I wonder why?
To realize Christ’s purpose, we must see the transformation in Mark 7. Once again, Jesus passed through that same area of Decapolis. The residents who earlier asked the Lord to leave, now brought the sick to be healed by a touch of His hand. Through the demoniac’s previous testimony, others suddenly realized the possibility of God’s miraculous intervention in their lives.
One sick man could neither speak nor hear. Jesus did a very strange thing. Without creating a scene, Christ removed Himself from the crowd. Then He stuck his fingers in the deaf man’s ears, spit on his tongue, and quietly muttered, “Be opened!” Mark 7:33 Immediately, the deaf mute could speak clearly and also hear.
What an oddity, considering the way the healing occurred! But God does not work according to our schedule or our plan. This is why Jesus took the man to a private place for the miracle to occur. The crowd simply would not understand. In fact, St. Paul said our gospel is absolute foolishness to individuals who God has not called to be saved. However, for those who have been elected for salvation, the message of Christ is literally the POWER of God! 1 Cor. 1:18
Immediately, the people were astonished beyond measure. They exclaimed to each other, “Jesus does everything well!” Mark 7:37 These were the same residents who listened to the demoniac explain how Christ set him free from evil spiritual oppression. Now, they heard a man speak for the very first time, besides having his hearing restored.
Although Jesus pleaded with the crowd to keep quiet about the miracle, yet the bystanders proclaimed the message of hope near and far. Like water running downhill, the good news found its way to where the good news was most needed. Here is the secret of an effective witness. Similar to the demoniac who was delivered from bondage and the deaf mute who was empowered to both speak and hear, the most powerful testimony is your personal account of what God has done for you! As St. Paul said, “The sharing of your faith becomes effective by acknowledging every blessing which you receive from Jesus Christ.” Philemon 1:6 Just remember, people are literally dying to hear what God has done for you!
Edwin Woolsey’s family has lived in Shannon, Texas, and Howell counties since 1860. He taught 31 years at Missouri public schools and is currently the pastor of a small country congregation at Pilgrim Rest Community Church. Follow him on Twitter at @edwinwoolsey.
