Decapolis Opens its Doors

Again, leaving the region of a Tyre, He went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee through the region of the Decapolis. They brought to Him a deaf man who also had a speech difficulty, and begged Jesus to lay hands on him. So He took him away from the crowd privately. After putting his fingers in the man's ears and spitting. He touched his tongue. Then, looking up to heaven,  He sighed deeply and said to him, "Ephphatha! (That is, "Be opened!"). Immediately his ears were opened, his speech difficulty was removed, and he began to speak clearly. Then  He ordered them to tell no one, but the more He would order them, the more they would proclaim it. They were extremely astonished and said, "He has done everything well!" He even makes deaf people hear, and people unable to speak, talk!" Mark 7:31-37

Remember the demoniac back in chapter 5? Jesus is again going through his territory, the territory that the demons wanted for themselves. Now the demoniac, or the now non-demoniac (if there is such a word) had been out and about spreading the word about what Jesus us had done for him.

The people brought the deaf and dumb man to be healed. Jesus healed him but also a culture of people who had begun to hear His voice and in setting the dumb man free He set free the community who could not stop proclaiming His glory.

The beautiful person of Jesus is real and His loving presence wants to set the captives free. I must go to Him with open ears and an open heart. 

Today I struggled to go to church, I had a violent headache and was nauseous. I was determined to go and what a surprise was waiting for me. A woman I had ministered to through work was there with her partner. She was crying throughout the whole service. There was not an altar call and she was keen to go at the finish. I came home to pray and will follow her up. This woman is a talker, she will tell everyone and anyone about Jesus when she finally breaks through, and she will.

We must take territory! We are not here for our own delight but to take territory! Amen!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Who Rules?

The princes of Judah are like those who move boundary markers, I will pout out my fury on them like water. Hosea 5:10 World leaders of church and state are now all highly visible. When they are not open to consultation or do not listen they make judgements that are judged as foolish by both God and man. In Australia we just celebrated Australia Day and at this time various people are honoured for their contribution to society. Our Prime Minister, Mr Abbott, without consultation, conferred a knighthood on the Queen of England's husband, Phillip. Almost to a person, Australians judged this to be foolish. Even supporters have now distanced themselves. Imagine what it is like when church leaders follow their own emotions or the emotions of their people and change what is acceptable to God. For example, no longer considering adultery something that precludes a man from ministry. We might think we are clever, but actually going with a sinful flow. Where is God in all this? My emotions ar...
Read more

Know Your Sword!

So he took Him to Jerusalem, had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "if you are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. For it is written: 'He will give His angels orders concerning You, to protect you, they will support You with their hands, so that you will not strike Your foot against a stone.' And Jesus answered him, "it is said: 'do not test The Lord your God." And the Devil had finished every temptation, he departed from Him for a time. Luke 4:9-11 In this third test Satan quoted scripture but Jesus knew His scripture and was not going to be deceived by his enemy twisting the truth. I am amazed at what Satan tempted Jesus with. He did not know Christ. He had succeeded in tempting the first Adam yet he was thwarted in this attempt. Jesus had lived 30 years and been tutored in godliness with contentment, he was prepared, baptised in the Spirit and sold out to the Father's purpose. Every time our enemy comes against us we ...
Read more

Little Things Grow

The boy's mother said to Elisha, "as The Lord lives and you yourself live, I will not leave you. So he got up and followed her. 2 Kings 4:30 The Shunamite woman had travelled to Mt Carmel to find Elisha after the death of her son. Although Elisha had sent his servant Gehazi to the boy with his staff the woman had come to find Elisha and was not leaving without him. I like this lady's spirit. I am sure The Lord God Almighty also valued her heart. She had a heart for God and made room for Him in her world. Now, having lost her son she knew what to do: find Elisha and not let him go until he came to restore her son. What made the Shunamite woman believe that Elisha could raise her son? Was it the same faith that made her provide him a place to stay in her home? I believe it was God working in her life. I am grateful for her faith, I can read and be encouraged. We do not know her name yet her story lives in scripture. What a little thing it was to feed Elisha and then provide ...
Read more