Do you have any Twin Cities around where you live? How about Tri-Cities? There are even Quad Cities in the US. Today, we are going to learn about Jesus’ miracle in the 10-Cities or Deca-polis recorded in Mark 7:31-37.
Background of First Miracle – Jesus Restored the Demon Possessed Man
But before, we start that, we need to take a look at the “First” miracle in that region. It is recorded in Mark 7:1-20, Jesus casting out the legion of evil spirits from a man. You can read in details, but we will for now, focus on the people’s response to that miracle.
Mark 5:17-20 “Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region. As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
Q) Why did the people ask Jesus to leave?
Q) What impact did the Healed Man have in that region, as Jesus left the place?
Second Miracle – Jesus Healed the Deaf and Mute Man
Mark 7:31-37 – Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him.
After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.
Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”
Mark 7:31-37
Q) What changed people’s perspective of Jesus, this time around?
Q) What did the people ask Jesus to do for the Deaf/Mute man? What did they expect?
Q) Let’s for the moment, consider a life of Deaf/Mute person in those days.
Q) What actions did Jesus do to heal this man? Why?
Q) Why did Jesus sigh while looking at the heavens?
Q) What healing do you want to receive privately? Are you willing to trust Jesus to give you this healing?
Q) Read Isaiah 35:4-6 from Old Testament (written 700 years before Jesus).
Isaiah 35:4-6 – Your God will come, He will come with vengeance, with divine retribution, He will come to save you.”
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Jesus fulfilled many of the prophecies about him, coming to Save the world, but not just from the physical infirmities or sickness, but more importantly, the spiritual sickness of Sin. He paid the penalty for our sins by dying on the cross. And we put our trust in him, he offers a new life.
John 10:10 – I came that you may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]. – Amplified Bible Version.
