Be Opened

THE QUESTION

Jesus took a deaf man aside, looked up to heaven, sighed deeply and said, “Ephphatha!” What does that word mean?

A) Get up

B) Be clean

C) Listen

D) Be opened ✓

A closer look

Some people brought Jesus a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Him to place His hand on him (Mark 7:32). Jesus took him aside, away from the crowd, and put His fingers into the man’s ears. Then He looked up to heaven and, with a deep sigh, said, “Ephphatha!” (Mark 7:33-34).

At this, the man’s ears were opened, and he began to speak plainly (Mark 7:35). Mark kept the very word Jesus spoke and explained it for his readers, so we can still hear it today. The crowd was amazed. “He has done everything well,” they said (Mark 7:37).

“Listen” was a good thought for a man who couldn’t hear, and Jesus said it to the crowd earlier in the same chapter: “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this” (Mark 7:14). But for this man, His word was “Be opened!”

Today’s verse asks us to pray for each other so that we may be healed (James 5:16). Before Jesus spoke His healing word, He looked up to heaven (Mark 7:34).

We hope this helped you grow in God’s Word today. Now head back to your email and tell us how you liked today’s devotional. 🙏