Mark Saturday (chapters 7-8)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. And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. (Mark 7:32-36 ESV)
The deaf man had a great need, but there were no medical specialists available to help him. Then Jesus came on the scene, and the man had hope. The man’s friends petitioned Jesus on behalf of their friend.
You have a friend who petitions God the Father on Your behalf. This is exactly what Jesus is doing for you right now.
Just as the deaf man’s greatest need was to hear, so our greatest need is to hear God’s Word. Only in God’s Word do we find the offer of forgiveness and hope for the future. We find these treasures in Jesus, of Whom God the Father says, “Listen to Him.”
Listen, listen, God is calling
through the Word inviting,
offering forgiveness,
comfort and joy.
(Listen, Listen, God Is Calling, Lutheran Service Book, Concordia Publishing House, 2006, #833)
Heavenly Father, please keep my ears open to You and Your word of Law that calls me to repentance, and Your word of Gospel that calls me to faith in my Savior, Jesus. Amen.
“See” you in church tomorrow!
Pastor Dave Paape
The following link is to the 52 Week Reading Plan Bible upon which these devotions are based. http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.pdf
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