Their Happiness Spilled Into Praises to the God of Israel

By Mary Vee
Mark 7, Matthew 15

Peter

Photo Courtesy: Google Maps plus added notations

I am a disciple of Jesus.

The eleven other disciples and I went with Jesus to Tyre where he met a woman who had a sick child. You can read what happened in the last post. Scroll down.

The next day we walked up through Sidon then turned east and south into the area of the Ten Cities: Damascus and eight major cities to the east of the Jordan River, and one on the western bank of the Jordan River.

In one city, some men brought their dear friend to Jesus. The friend was deaf and could hardly speak. The men begged Jesus to place his hand on their friend. 

Jesus took the friend and the men who brought him a distance from the crowd. Once they were alone, He put his fingers into the man's ears. Then he spit and touched the man's tongue. Jesus looked up to heaven. He heaved a deep sigh then said to the man, "Ephphatha," which is translated: be opened. 

Instantly, the man's eyes went wide. He touched his ears and turned his head at every sound. Even faint ones. Then--he spoke as plainly as I would. "I can hear! I can talk," he shouted. His friends hugged him. They laughed. They patted him on the back and rejoiced.

Jesus then said, "Don't tell anyone what has happened." But the more Jesus asked, the more the men and their friend told people. It wasn't out of cruelty. They were just so happy they couldn't keep the good news a secret. 

The crowds that heard their news were overwhelmed and amazed. They said, "Jesus has done everything well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak."

It didn't take long before masses of people came to the area bringing loved ones who were lame, blind, crippled, mute and with many other issues. They laid them at Jesus' feet.

Compassion poured out of Jesus for these people. He healed the ones brought to Him. 

Men and women stood amazed when they saw the mute speak, the crippled made well, the lame walking, and the blind clearly seeing. As they watched. Their happiness spilled into praises to the God of Israel. It was a great time of rejoicing.

And--it was a time I will never ever forget. 

 Come back to read the next story.

*Author of blog's note: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

They Told More Friends Who Told More Friends

By Mary Vee
Mark 9

From Mark's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee
Taken in Israel

My name is Mark. I was among the crowd watching what Jesus the teacher said and did each day.

Jesus left Jairus' home and walked farther away from the sea. I enjoyed seeing Jairus and his wife rejoice over their daughter's healing. 

Others had seen or heard what Jesus did. His miracles amazed men and women so much so, words spread far and wide, which brought many more people who traveled great distances to hear Him speak and watch him help those in need.

Shortly after we left Jairus's house, two men called out to Jesus from the back of the crowd. A few men helped make a path for these men so the could reach Jesus.

They called out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!"

Jesus walked on until he went inside a home.

The men helping the two blind ones, encouraged them to follow Jesus.

Inside the home, Jesus said, "Do you believe that I am able to help you?"

The blind men turned toward the voice and said, "Yes, Lord."

Jesus touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith, it will be done to you."

The men blinked.

They looked at Jesus, staring at his face.

They held their hands in front of their eyes then looked at each other.

That's when they laughed. And jumped. And laughed some more.

They looked around the room, and introduced their eyes to all that was around them.

Jesus said, "See that you tell no one about this."

But they couldn't help it. They left the house and immediately shared their experience with everyone they met. They told more friends who told more friends what Jesus did for them.

 Come back to read the next story.

*Author of blog's note: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.