Mark 7:31-37

Find a way to separate yourself from whatever’s going on around you so you can fully enter into today’s passage. if you haven’t read the introduction to Mark’s Gospel, read it here.

Read Mark 7:31-37 and note how the attitude of the people in the area is different than when Jesus healed the demon possessed man in Mark 5:15-17.

There certainly are Jews in the Decapolis (Ten Towns), and in Tyre and Sidon, but this is largely a Gentile area - the same general area where the people pleaded with Jesus to go away and leave them alone. Jesus is a polarizing figure, and people react very differently to him depending on the openness they have to him. But he has no need of popularity or celebrity status. In fact, Jesus continuously instructs the crowds to keep to themselves the miraculous works he does.

Jesus takes the deaf and mute man away from the crowd, puts his fingers in the man’s ears and uses his own saliva to loosen the man’s tongue. This healing is intensely private and personal.

Read Mark 7:31-37 again imagining you are the person Jesus is healing.

Think of an important person you admire greatly. What would it be like to have that person single you out and act with kindness toward you?

Because of the presence of the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of Jesus) Jesus is as close as breath to those who follow him.

Get quiet for a moment and let this reality sink in.

The crowds thought that everything Jesus did was wonderful when he was meeting their needs, but when his teaching became too challenging or when he acted in ways that they didn’t understand, they were quick to turn away. We can react in the same ways to him.

Do you love Jesus for who he is – God revealed to us in the flesh – or is your love for Jesus based on what he does for you?

Spend some time with Jesus contemplating this question. Pray for the grace to love him even when his ways are mysterious to you.

Write down any impressions that you have had during this time of reflection, and if you sense Jesus inviting you to do something, make a plan for following through.

If these meditations are helpful to you, please forward them to couple of friends.

Interested in going deeper? Check out The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide and blog.