EPHPHATHA
Be opened
S - Scripture: Mark 7:1-37
O - Observations:
The Pharisees and scribes as usual are here to oppose Jesus and are said to come from Jerusalem down to Galilee—one hundred miles, to pick quarrels with our Saviour there, where they supposed him to have the greatest interest and reputation. Had they come so far to be taught by him, their zeal would had been commendable; but to come so far to oppose him, and to check the progress of his gospel, was great wickedness. They were closed minded.
One of the issues addressed here in this passage was "the ordinance of handwashing". The problem with the Pharisees was not their efforts to be sanctified (set apart) as there were many cases in which the law of Moses, washings were appointed; but they added to them, and enforced the observation of their own impositions as much as of God’s institutions. They made their word "god" or "law" and He reproves them for their hypocrisy in pretending to honour God, when really they had no such design in their religious observances (v.6-7). They rested in the outside of all their religious exercises, and their hearts were not right with God in them, and this was worshipping God in vain; for neither was he pleased with such sham devotions, nor were they profited by them. God knows the heart!
He reproves them for laying aside the commandment of God. God’s statutes shall not only lie forgotten. They were entrusted to expound the law, and to enforce it; and, under pretence of using that power, they violated the law. Where will men stop, when once they have made the word of God give way to their tradition?
Our wicked thoughts and affections, words and actions, these defile us, and these only. Our care must therefore be, to wash our heart from wickedness.
The disciples later asked Him about these things. His response: "Are ye so without understanding also? Are ye dull also, as dull as the people that cannot understand, as dull as the Pharisees that will not? Are ye so dull?’’ He doth not expect they should understand every thing; "But are ye so weak as not to understand this?’’ If we understand the spiritual nature of God and of his law, and what it is that is offensive to him, and disfits us for communion with him, we shall also soon perceive. Let our dullness fall away from us as well ~ to be open to understanding!
It is that which comes out from the heart, the corrupt heart, that defiles us. As a corrupt fountain sends forth corrupt streams, so doth a corrupt heart send forth corrupt reasonings, corrupt appetites and passions, and all those wicked words and actions which are produced by them.
For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are [the things] which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man. Matthew 15:19-20.
For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all these evil things come from within, and defile the man. Mark 7:21-23
Of all these he concludes (v. 23), 1. That they come from within, from the corrupt nature, the carnal mind, the evil treasure in the heart and 2. that they defile the man; they render a man unfit for communion with God.
The Pharisees were guilty of:
1. A challenge to God’s authority (Deuteronomy 6:16; I Corinthians 10:9), and
2. An enticement of the people to sin (James 1:13-15).
In the last part of this passage Jesus continues his healing ministry but tries to do so privately. How humbly Christ was pleased to conceal himself, thereby teaching us, though not to decline any opportunity of doing good, yet not to be fond of popular applause, but He could not be hid; for, though a candle may be put under a bushel, the sun cannot.
The first of the healings was a young Caananite mother begging healing for her daughter. How many and grievous are the calamities that young children are subject to! Her address was, very humble, pressing, and importunate; She heard of him, and came, and fell at his feet. Note, Those that would obtain mercy from Christ, must throw themselves at his feet; must refer themselves to him, humble themselves before him, and give up themselves to be ruled by him which was so opposite of what the Pharisees had come to do! And secondly she was very particular and told Him exactly what she needed and finally she didn't go away at his first testing, she pressed in. This encourages us to pray and not to faint, to continue instant in prayer, not doubting but to prevail at last.
Note, The greatest blessing we can ask of Christ for our children is, that He would break the power of Satan, that is, the power of sin, in their souls, that they may be temples of the Spirit of God, and that He may dwell in them.
The final miracle in this passage is proof of Christ being the Messiah; for it was foretold that by his power the ears of the deaf should be unstopped, and the tongue of the dumb should be made to sing, Isa. 35:5, 6. Who hath made man’s mouth? Or who maketh the dumb or deaf, or the seeing or the blind? Have not I the Lord? (Ex. 4:11) The great command of the gospel, and grace of Christ to poor sinners, is Ephphatha-Be opened. He opens the heart and thereby opens the ear to receive the word of God, and opens the mouth in prayer and praises.
Note: Much of the above is excerpted from Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark Chapter 7.
A - Application for me today:
1) Not to add to God's law in my efforts to live a sanctified life.
2) To seek to honor God with my heart not by outward efforts.
3) To seek to have my dullness removed ~ to be opened to understanding!
4) To fall at the Master's feet seeking healing of sin's strongholds not only for myself, but also to seek healing of sin's strongholds in my daughters' lives.
5) To press in and prevail in prayer.
6) And finally, to seek to be filled with more of God's Spirit to be evidenced in my life instead of defilement. To be ephphatha, opened!
"And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD ..." Isaiah 11:2
P - Prayer in response:
Father God, Maker of who I am, open my heart and my ears to receive Your WORD, and open my mouth in prayer and praises. Amen & Amen.
THE LOVE DARE CHALLENGE
Day 25: Love forgives
What I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ. —2 Corinthians 2:10
TODAY’S DARE
Whatever you haven’t forgiven in your mate, forgive it today. Let it go. Just as we ask Jesus to “forgive us our debts” each day, we must ask Him to help us “forgive our debtors” each day as well. Unforgiveness has been keeping you and your spouse in prison too long. Say from your heart, “I choose to forgive.”
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