Mark 7:31-37

The challenge of speaking through translation

What Mark is helping us to see

• This is the second time Jesus was at the Decapolis: The first time he encountered the demon possessed guy that got cast into the pigs
• This was a Gentile region
• Jesus want to speak to us in our language and in ways we can understand.

Where we meet Juss this morning (Mark 7:31-37)

• A bit of debate about what it all means
• Some thoughts about what it all means.
• Jesus takes the man aside
• Jesus puts His finger in the man's ears
• Jesus spits
• Jesus touches the man's tongue
• Jesus looks up to heaven
• Jesus sighs
• Imagine what this would be like watching it play out in a silent movie. What is being conveyed?
• Jesus isn't just healing the man.
• He is entering the deaf man's world.
• Jesus is speaking to the man in the man's time of need and in ways the man could understand.

What we see about Jesus?

• Jesus speaks to us in our times of need in ways we can understand and by entering our world
• A couple of implications

1. You can understand Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

• Jesus wants you to understand Scripture.
• Jesus intends for us to know Him.
• God intends to communicate with us.

2. You think about your theology (2 Timothy 2:7)

• Think about God

3. You must know that you will have times of prayer that are conversational

• Monologue vs Dialogue
• Possible because God speaks your language (Acts 9:10-19)
• He wants to speak to you

Do you listen, pay attention?

Do you think He will speak to you?

Text with an outline.

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• Level 3