Healing of the Deaf Mute Man (Mark 7:31-37)

Healing of the Deaf Mute Man (Mark 7:31-37)

What can we learn from this gospel?

Christ moved away from the crowd to avoid the distraction and the unnecessary publicity.  The healing in this story appears to be designed to evoke the co-operation of faith and to present the idea that, with faith, you will be open to the teachings of Christ.  Away from the interruption of a noisy and pressing crowd, quietly and privately, the man would be more attentive and receptive.

Christ showed humility as an example form of teaching, rather than being ostentatious/showy in healing.  Moving away from the crowd would indicate that only the believers, those with faith, followed and observed the healing.  Others would then be more likely to believe what they were told.

The story holds an important message in that it outlines the benefits and result of opening oneself to God’s teachings.  It also expresses that He is what humans should be – someone who does things well, to the best of their ability, who understands others, and forgives transgressions.

The man was in danger because he could not hear, physical death.  We are in danger when we do not hear God, spiritual death, which leads to eternal death.

Are we mute and deaf spiritually to God?  Do we seek to draw away from the crowd to listen and hear Him?  Do we faithfully act on His teachings and direction?  Christ often works out His purpose in spite of us and demonstrates God’s grace in granting us favor to honor our faith.

The Image of God in Man

We were made similar to God in certain ways to represent God and carry out designated responsibilities.

We are spiritual beings, in human form, to represent and worship God who is spirit. Only humans are able to relate to God in worship and communication. Man is a living soul and given a spiritual life.

We are personal beings with a personality that makes us unique individuals with self-consciousness and purpose. We share common characteristics but no two people are alike. Each human life has great significance before God.

We are relational beings in that we can relate to God and to others. We are not made to live in isolated individualism thus it involves how we relate in marriage, fellowship in church, and fellowship in community.

Being relational beings we are created to think, to know, to learn, and to cultivate our minds and spirits.

As emotional beings to experience intimacy with those close to us and to feel compassion to others.

We are creative beings who have the desire to create - art, business, books, landscaping, "be fruitful and multiply", and to harness the natural world.

We are wonderfully made to resemble God. In the Fall, we died spiritually, relationship with God was ruptured, interpersonal relationships broke, our purity was lost, personality became corrupted, false and vain knowledge was sought after, emotions turned to selfish desires, and our creativity ws despoiled by evil purposes and pursuits.

In Salvation, thru Christ, we are made a new creation and able to live as God created us, fulfilling the responsibilities given to us. To glorify, love, and worship God; to reverence and respect life, to dignity in how we see, relate to and treat others; Sexuality is the union of a man and woman for intimacy, fidelity, and faith; marriage represents the Triune God, it has spiritual meaning, and committed attachment. We show compassion to those suffering and to each other, living with one another in peace and community.