I can remember the quiet days before we taught our daughter how to speak. The gentle cooing and simple words allowed other people to get a word in edgewise. But once she learned to string them together, there was no stopping her. And she hasn’t stopped since. She is a great communicator. She can express herself in a meaningful and articulate way. The world needs people who can do this.
Can you imagine if you were unable to hear or speak and then suddenly, unexpectedly, you were able to do both? How would you react? Would you sit quietly in a room not talking or using your new abilities? I know I would shout!
And shout they did! Jesus did what Jesus does: transforms a life. And the reaction is typical. The man who was healed, and everyone who witnessed it, and all who hear about it, bubbled over with excitement. Even when Jesus tried to keep them quiet about what happened, they don’t listen. They spread it more and more.
They report the impossible done. That’s right, the impossible. And Jesus did it. They have never seen this. There have been some news stories in recent years where people get cochlear implants and then hear for the first time. The joy and wonderment of those moments have been captured and posted on YouTube. To hear a child’s cry for the first time, or even your own voice. Priceless!
What I find a little ironic is that Jesus opened the ears and mouth for hearing and speech, and then he tries to get the whole crowd to be quiet. Jesus was not a man who needed publicity. His life spoke volumes.
How loud does your life speak of Jesus’ intervention in it? Do people hear the life-changing story or do they hear something else? The latest fashion trend, the diet of the week, the funny video, the political wind, the self-promoting, the sports highlights.
Maybe it is time for us to shut up and allow Jesus to speak.
The Arnold Journey 