April 25, 2018 - OPEN EARS

Day 115 - (Today’s Bible readings: Exodus 33:7–23; Psalm 106; Mark 7:14–30)

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. And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. (Mark 7:32-36 ESV)

The deaf mute 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 petition Jesus on behalf of their friend. You have a friend named Jesus who petitions God the Father on Your behalf. 

Just as the 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, CPH, #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.

Pastor David Paape

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings form the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings  
Then scroll down to 2018 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless you meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!