1. Good neighbors (31-32)

When Jesus had been in the region of the Decapolis before, he had healed a demon-possessed man at the cost of the local pig industry. The people asked him to leave. The healed man, however, proclaimed Jesus' love and power throughout the Decapolis (Mk 5). People changed. Their hard hearts melted. This time they brought a seriously handicapped man to Jesus for healing.

2. 'Be opened' (33-37)

The man had a communication problem. Jesus healed him quietly, away from the crowd. Jesus understood this man's agony. One mark of the Messianic kingdom is that the deaf will hear and the dumb will speak (Isa 35:5,6). The people were amazed. They couldn't help but spread the news. Living in a foreign land or in a different culture sometimes makes us like this deaf-mute. When Jesus touches our hearts and loosens our tongues, we may proclaim his gospel to the world.

Application: Lord, open my ears to hear your voice; touch my tongue so that I may praise your name.
One Word: Ephphatha!