Trusting the Unusual Jesus

Have you ever been in a situation where you had multiple issues or problems occurring at the same time? It would have been manageable to have one issue or another, but having multiple problems was overwhelming. In Mark 7, we find a man who was deaf and mute.  He was unable to hear and unable to speak. I can only imagine that his life would have been easier to navigate with one disability, yet here he stood before Jesus with two.   

The bible says, Jesus put his fingers in the man’s ears, spat – some versions say on His fingers, others just say spat but either way, spit was a part of the process, then touched the man’s tongue. In this day and age, where gloves, masks, and hand sanitizer are common, the text gave me pause. 

In order for Jesus to put His fingers into the man’s ears, He had to enter his personal space, the introduction of saliva made the situation messy, and using those same fingers touched the man’s tongue. There is no documentation of questioning or sense of hesitancy from the man as he stood before Jesus with multiple disabilities in need of a healing touch.

Like this man, we must be willing to allow Jesus into our personal spaces to touch the problems and disabilities that we hold close, sometimes shamefully private. We must submit to His methods, which may feel messy, uncertain, and different from what we thought or expected.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)

Miraculously, the man’s ears were open, his tongue loosened, and he began to speak because he trusted the touch of the One who was able to heal. Likewise, we can trust the One who does everything well. Don’t be distracted by the method He chooses to use, lock in on who He is.

People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear, and the mute speak.” Mark 7:37 (NIV)

What are you waiting for? Bring whatever situation, ailment, or disability you have to Jesus today. Can’t wait to hear of the unusual wonders of Jesus in your life!