There’s something sacred about today’s passage in Mark 7:31-37—an odd blend of intimacy, mystery, and mission.
Jesus returns to a region that once begged Him to leave. And now? People are waiting. The mood has changed. Why? Perhaps the demon-possessed man from earlier chapters was faithful with his story. Maybe the locals saw transformation and couldn’t deny the truth anymore. Maybe they got over losing all their pigs.
Whatever the reason, the seeds sown in a previous season were finally bearing fruit.
That’s a powerful reminder: our obedience may spark freedom in others we may never meet. Even when we don’t see results, God is working with our “yes.” The results are just waiting for the right moment.
Then there’s the healing moment—a strange and earthy encounter: fingers in ears, spit on the tongue, a groan from the depths of Jesus’ being, and a word that literally means, “Be opened.”
Why so tactile? Why not just speak healing?
Because maybe this was a personal moment. This man was a Gentile, an outsider. He didn’t grow up in synagogue. He may have never heard teaching or prayer. He couldn’t hear or speak. But Jesus meets him where he is, like He always does—with physical touch, with groans that echo the Father’s heart, and with a miracle that breaks every boundary.
This is the gospel. This is Jesus. This is and can be OUR Jesus.
He came not just for the righteous, but for the outcasts. In fact, when I read the Bible, He seems to have come for the outcasts first. Not just to heal quietly, but to demonstrate that He does all things well with all people.
And that last line cuts deep:
“The more He ordered them not to tell, the more they proclaimed it.”
What do I do with the truth of being set free? Today, Jesus commands us to go into all the world and proclaim. And yet, how often do I stay silent out of fear, pride, or inconvenience? Or, I’m challenged that I might make the moment awkward.
Why do I care? This is something I must continue to fight to overcome.
If Jesus has set me free—and I know He has—how can I not speak more loudly, more clearly and more boldly?
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