Bible Verse of the Day Friday March 8th 2024

 Mark 7:31-35 31 Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him. After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue.  He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.

Jesus' ministry on earth was brief, and everybody expecting the Messiah needed to know He had come. After all, had the prophet Isaiah not often said these were the signs of the Messiah? Isaiah 29:18: "In that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll, and out of gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see."  Would everyone know that the Messiah had come by signs such as the wondrous healing of people? Of course not. The world will pass by these signs. Most people will regard them as peculiar, interesting, or annoying. But for all those who expect God's redemption of this world through faith in scripture, these will be joyful signs.

Worldly-minded clergy members, then and now, have doubted miracles from the very beginning. Then, as they do nowadays, would rather pay tribute to science than God when he heals someone. And when scientists are baffled by a miraculous cure, they will rather deny the miracle than give honor to God.

Amazing promises, bold expectations from God, but true. God freed his people from their oppression and gave them a reason to rejoice, to open their mouths and leap like a deer. He set them free. But these words of rejoicing in hopeless times carry meaning beyond the ancient people of Israel. They point to an even greater freedom from oppression that God has in store for all who call on him. They are words meant for our eyes, ears, and hearts too. The ultimate fulfillment of these verses would be rooted in Jesus's second coming.

The most amazing thing that Jesus came to do was to offer us forgiveness, life, and salvation through the blood that he would shed on the cross. Unique because it is a gift that no one could take from us, that has no limits placed on it, it is a gift that will last for all times. God comes to offer sinners who have no business even thinking about being in God's kingdom the blessing of eternal life in heaven with him. It's the most amazing thing that God has ever done. It is the most fantastic gift that you and I have or ever will receive.