31Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, through the region of the Decap'olis. 32And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech; and they besought him to lay his hand upon him. 33And taking him aside from the multitude privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue; 34and looking up to heaven, he sighed, and said to him, "Eph'phatha," that is, "Be opened." 35And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. 36And he charged them to tell no one; but the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. 37And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well; he even makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak."
I had a weird response to this reading. Jesus rubs spittle on the man’s ears and tongue and the man’s senses are restored. There is something quite crass about it and I found that hard to get past. My take on this is that Christ can release our senses and open our senses to a new life and a new light. Following Christ gives us a voice and gives us vision. Even the fact that Jesus stopped and acted shows us his compassion and care for the suffering man, highlighting His concern for the marginalized and those in need. So my takeaways are twofold. Pay attention to the marginalized. The second takeaway is that Christ can open our eyes in ways no one else can.
ReplyDeleteStrengths:
DeleteYou've effectively captured the unique nature of Jesus' healing technique.
You've recognized the importance of compassion and care for the marginalized.
You've connected the passage to the broader themes of spiritual transformation and enlightenment.
Areas for Improvement:
While you've acknowledged the "weirdness" of Jesus' actions, it's important to consider the cultural and historical context. Such practices were not uncommon in ancient times.
The concept of "spiritual blindness" could be explored further. How does Jesus' healing relate to a deeper spiritual transformation?
You might consider the implications of the passage for understanding the nature of faith and healing.
Additional Thoughts:
The passage could be seen as a call to action and a reminder of the importance of using our gifts and abilities to serve others.
The image of Jesus healing the deaf man can be seen as a symbol of liberation and restoration.
Overall, your response is insightful and demonstrates a good understanding of the passage.