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HEALING OF THE DEAF AND MUTE MAN (MARK 7:31-37)

REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is the healing of the deaf and mute man. Jesus healed a deaf and mute man. Can there be love, care and affection without a touch? The answer is obvious. One of the ways we express care and affection to people who are unable to help themselves or have become vulnerable because of circumstances beyond their control is to touch them. When a person is blind, he or she needs to be touched to be led. Again, a deaf person and mute person may more often than not need to be touched to make some expressions easier to communicate. We realise that the best our human touch can do is to bring some relief and help but not total healing thus, Mark 7:32 tells us that “ they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him.”

Our human touch has limitations. The best their touch could do is to bring the man who was deaf and had a speech impediment to Jesus for a healing touch. When those who care about you touch you, your situation remains the same, however when you are drawn close to Jesus or if you allow Jesus to come into your life and He touches you, your situation never remains the same. Mark 7:33-35 tells us that “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.”

This man was touched and healed by Jesus free of charge but in our time and age, some so-called spiritual healers charge people huge sums of money for the touch they receive from them. Unfortunately, most of these people are fake. For instance, a 43-year-old pastor was arrested and arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Koforidua in the Eastern Region for allegedly having anal sex with a church member. The victim, a 20-year-old lady apprentice was told by the fake pastor after an all-night service that her chronic sickness was caused by demons and required divine intervention and special spiritual cleansing. The fake pastor insisted that he needed to wash her private part with holy water and anointing oil but after some resistance from the victim, he convinced her and, in the process, forced the victim and had anal sex with her. A touch which was supposed to be a healing touch led to indecent assault and unnatural carnal knowledge.

I invite you to critically read the four Gospels and the book of Acts. You will realise that Jesus and the Apostles touched the vulnerable, demon-possessed and sick with dignity and always freed them of their predicaments free of charge. In other words, no one was made to go through inhumane treatment and charged for the healing received. The healing touch of Jesus is free of charge and indeed brings us liberty, total relief and peace. Let us be discerning believers so that we do not fall prey to charlatans and become victims of abuse.

Jesus is still healing people through the power of the Holy Spirit. Some of us are spiritually, morally and mentally deaf and mute. Sin has rendered us unresponsive to the Word of God. We have become deaf and mute due to doing our will and not the will of God. Let today’s reflection draw you closer to Jesus to receive your healing touch, a touch of restoration and revival. Shalom.

PRAYER

DOCTOR JESUS, LET YOUR HEALING TOUCH LIBERATE ME FROM ALL CHRONIC MEDICAL AND SPIRITUAL CONDITIONS. AMEN.