The Compassionate King

Introduction

Good Friday/Easter/App

In our day and age there really are two types of stories that human beings are drawn to.

On one end of the spectrum we’re drawn to the scandalous stories. Those stories of corruption and greed. Stories of those who are in positions of power and authority being brought down. Stories of justice. I mean, the whole country will shut down and watch major court cases wondering if the person will be found guilty or innocent. So, we're drawn to stories of scandal and news outlets prove that just from reading their headlines. The more shocking the better.

But the other kinds of stories that we’re drawn to are on the opposite end of the spectrum. We’re drawn as well to stories of compassion and kindness. Stories of selflessness and genuine care for others. There is something about those stories that warm our hearts and souls.

Why is that? There’s something within us that wishes that we’d actually see more of that. Don’t we yearn for more of that in our world today? Don’t we desire it?

Isn’t there something deep within the recesses of our hearts that long for a day where everything is as it should be? Those classic fairy tales that we read when we were younger ended with everyone living “happily ever after.” Didn’t we just want to get lost in those stories and remain there?

Problem

The world we live in today is a far cry from what God designed it to be in Genesis 1 and 2. If you’re familiar with the creation account in Genesis, what’s the overarching phrase God uses every time after he creates? “It was good.” Meaning, this is how it’s meant to be. This is the way life is intended to be lived. In harmony with its Creator and in harmony with one another.

The curse of sin that human beings brought into the world through our rebellion and rejection of God is the reason for the pain we experience. But also at the same time, the reason we feel this tension, or this ache in our soul when we witness the brokenness in this world and within ourselves and then this desire for things to be set right is because, we’re image bearers of God, created to live in relationship with God, and so, there’s this deep desire hard-wired within us for things to be set right.

It’s why then our hearts yearn for and feel that sense of warmth that comes when we see or read stories of compassion for one another. Because we’re seeing and experiencing even for just a brief moment life as God designed it to be.

And since Genesis 3, when sin entered God’s good world through human rebellion we’ve been trying to get back to the garden, back to life as it was meant to be but unable to do so on our own.

Main Aim

And so, when Jesus stepped into this world he began his earthly ministry by saying this, as recorded in Mark 1:15,

Mark 1:15 (ESV)

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

In essence, he’s saying, I’ve come to do what you cannot do yourself; make you right with God. I’ve come to be what you cannot be yourself: sinless. I’ve come to take your shame, your guilt, your sin, your brokenness upon myself to then give you my righteousness. I’ve come to bring God’s Kingdom: which is God’s reign and rule over God’s people who are destined by God’s grace to dwell with him forever. I’ve come to show you what life is meant to be like under God’s reign.

These stories throughout the gospels, specifically the gospel of Mark as we’ve been studying are placed there not just to tell us nice things that Jesus did for people, or to teach us moral lessons, but that in each miracle, within each teaching, within each parable, all the way to the cross Mark is revealing Jesus as the promised Messiah, the one sent from God to restore broken humanity to eternal life.

He’s revealing Jesus as the servant King, the one who is the perfect representation of humanity. A King, as we see here, who is gentle, who is caring, who is filled with grace and love. A King who feels the pain and hurt that sin has brought on humanity. A King who is good. And isn’t that what we need?

And so, what we see from this interaction between Jesus and this deaf and mute man is that,

Big Idea

Jesus is a compassionate King who enters into our world taking upon himself our sinfulness and brokenness, reversing the curse, revealing the kingdom, and giving us what we truly need.

In this story, which is part of the larger story of God’s redemptive plan we see the heart of Jesus the King. Jesus the Redeemer. Jesus the promised Messiah. We see here in this interaction a parallel between this man’s physical healing and our own spiritual experience with Jesus. Because the Kingdom is continuing to expand today through the church. As we live, by God’s grace under God’s reign and rule, we’re revealing Jesus to the world and HIS goodness and kindness, and compassion. How are we doing that? We reveal the goodness and compassion of Jesus in how we live with one another. In how we treat one another. In how we serve one another, in how we love one another and our neighbors. In how we show compassion as changed and transformed children of God.

Body/Application

We find Jesus here in Mark 7 ministering in primarily Gentile regions. We’re not sure actually how long Jesus was in these regions but some suspect it was at least several months.

And so, we saw last week Jesus in the city of Tyre. From there he travelled north up the coast of the Mediterranean about 20 miles or so to the city of Sidon. From there he starts heading southeast and ministers in the region of the Decapolis which was on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee and Jordan River. It was an area consisting of 10 cities.

This entire journey from Tyre to Sidon to where he is now was about 120 miles of walking and so this was an extended time of ministry among the Gentile regions. This could have been because he was trying to avoid the Pharisees who were after him but it also could have been because of his desire to see the Kingdom of God expand to the Gentiles and all nations.

Matthew’s gospel records Jesus as in this area but speaks more generally. In that it says Jesus was up on the mountain by the Sea of Galilee and great crowds were bringing to him the lame, the blind, the crippled, and the mute and he healed them. So, from Matthew’s account Jesus was performing lots of miracles in this region.

But it’s Mark’s gospel that records this specific interaction and miracle with actually quite a bit of detail for it only being a few verses. And so, what Mark is doing in his gospel for his specific audience, which were primarily Gentiles in Rome is to reveal to them that the Jewish Messiah, Jesus Christ is a compassionate King come to save them and restore them as well. That the Kingdom consists of all those who turn in faith to Christ. That the true family of God is made up of people from all nations whose common denominator is Jesus.

And so, again, this miracle, this interaction, this heart of compassion we see in Jesus for this outside, this deaf and mute man parallels our spiritual experience with Christ, certainly Gentile readers of this gospel would have seen this as well as ones who were once outsiders but have been brought near to God, what we truly need, through the atoning and miraculous work of Christ.

How do we see all this in this text? Well, let’s work through it together.

Let’s pick it up in verse 32.

Mark 7:32 (ESV)

And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him.

What’s taking place here literally in this story and what’s the parallel?

Jesus always gives us what we need, not necessarily what we want or expect.

Think about this for just a moment. Do human beings usually pursue things we need or is the pursuit usually after things we want? Do you see the difference there?

Needs are more centered around what we need to flourish, to thrive, to be fruitful, to be able to serve others. Wants typically center around things that we think will make our lives easier or more comfortable in the short-term. Now, not necessarily bad things, but I think human beings, because we’re not omnipotent, because we’re not all-knowing, because we’re mortal we can only see what’s right in front of us and even then won’t always have a clear picture of everything going on. So, that the things we think are needs aren’t really what we need and aren’t really what’s best for us.

And so, if pounds of candy were placed before a young child they would see that as an amazing gift to eat right then and there. They would believe with their young and immature minds that they need that candy. And for a while they would be very comfortable, very happy, very content. But as adults, or as parents, as mature adults we at least have a better picture in that they could eat all that right now, and be happy for a short time, but they’re not going to be happy that night when they’re sick. They will regret that decision later. It’s not what they actually need.

Now, we may perceive ourselves to be mature people and when we compare ourselves to others that can be correct, but when compared to an omnipotent, omniscient God, we’re children incapable of knowing on our own what we truly need.

So, in this story, these friends of this deaf man bring him to Jesus and they’re begging Jesus to lay his hands on him. They’re persistent. We see this persistence often. In Mark 2 four friends of a paralyzed man tear open the roof of a home to get their friend to Jesus for healing. We saw last week the persistent and remarkable faith of a woman trying to get to Jesus for the sake of her daughter who was possessed by demons.

Throughout the gospel of Mark large crowds follow Jesus everywhere. They’re persistent. They have tangible, yet temporal needs in their lives that they want Jesus to fix.

And in all these situations Jesus does so much more than what the people expect. In Mark 2, he doesn’t just heal the paralyzed man, he forgives his sins. In Mark 7, he doesn’t just cast the demon out of the woman’s daughter, he commends her faith. With the crowds who really only want their earthly wants met, he calls them to so much more. Eternal life.

And that’s what’s about to happen here in this story. These friends are bringing this man to Jesus not for healing. Notice that they don’t ask for healing. They ask for Jesus to lay his hand on the man. This is typical of them asking Jesus for his blessing.

These friends of this man aren’t to be put down but again it shows that what we perceive as our greatest needs usually terminate on temporary things and Jesus is about to pull this man in and give so much more than what anyone expected.

Application

Isn’t that true of what Jesus has done in your life if you are a follower of Christ? Could not story after story after story be told in here today of God’s abundant grace, mercy, and compassion in your life? Could not story after story be told in here of how God delivered beyond what you expected in your life?

And testimony after testimony could be shared in here today from many who have walked through and endured suffering and can look back on it and say, God was so good to me through it all. And I know this because I’ve heard so many of your stories.

Listen, following Jesus doesn’t mean you’ll never suffer. But following Jesus means that through suffering he’ll provide, he’ll give grace, he’ll give peace. He will provide above and beyond what you could ever expect. He’ll give you exactly what you need to endure; his presence and strength.

Let’s keep going. Verse 33a.

Mark 7:33 (ESV)

And taking him aside from the crowd privately.

Let’s talk about this. Why did Jesus take this man away privately? I think it’s here that we see the heart of Jesus. And so, what’s his heart and what’s the parallel in our own spiritual experience?

Jesus Understands Our Pain & Has Compassion

I think there’s a few reasons why Jesus took this man aside and each of them reveal his heart of compassion.

Here was a man who had been ostracized for probably most of his life. So, not only was he deaf and unable to hear what people were saying but he also had a speech impediment which made it very difficult for him to communicate with others.

And so, you have here a human being, an image bearer of God designed for relationships and community with others unable to truly crossover that obstacle to belong because of his affliction. And so, here was a man most likely use to being alone, being overlooked, not worth the trouble and Jesus takes him and spends one on one time with him. How amazing that must have been for this man to get one on one time with the God of the universe. Jesus looked in this man’s eyes and though there were crowds all around Jesus vying for his attention, Jesus gave all of his attention to this man.

I think Jesus took this man aside to connect with him. He was showing this hurting individual that he is seen and known, that he is loved.

Application

There’s so much parallel here that we can draw on. Have you ever really meditated on the truth that not only does Jesus love the world (Jn. 3:16), not only does he love the church, I think we grasp and accept those broad concepts and truths but he also loves you. [Insert name]. That Jesus knows you. That he cares for you. That he empathizes with you and your suffering to such a degree that he felt pain himself, that he suffered. He knows what it feels like and he cares for you. And through his death and resurrection he’s provided a way to be set free. That there’s coming a day when all that is wrong with the world will come undone. It will be restored.

Hebrews 4:15 (ESV)

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

He understands your pain and his heart is one of compassion. And like Jesus, we should also model this kind of compassion and love for others. Especially to the marginalized and the outcasts. The poor and the oppressed.

Let’s finish out verse 33b into 35.

Mark 7:33–35 (ESV)

…He put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.

In what way are we seeing the heart and compassion of Jesus here?

Jesus enters into our world and takes our brokenness upon himself

At first glance, this seems odd doesn’t it? But ask yourself, why is Jesus doing this? Why is he putting his fingers into this man’s ears? Why is he spitting and touching his tongue? Why is he looking up to heaven?

It’s honestly not as complex or ritualistic as we might be thinking it is.

Quite simply, Jesus is communicating with this man in the only way he could understand - sign language.

Be in this moment here. Jesus took this man aside, away from the crowds. Away from the distractions so he could minister to him one on one. This man is deaf, this man is unable to communicate clearly. This man, most likely isn’t totally sure what is going on. His friends are bringing him before Jesus, but for what purpose? He might not know what’s going on or who Jesus is. He’s probably confused, anxious, or scared.

And so, Jesus here is calming him. Caring for him. Speaking to him in a way that he can understand. Maybe this man did know why his friends were dragging him before Jesus - to receive a blessing of some sort. But Jesus is going to do so much more and so here, he’s telling him what he’s about to do for him.

When Jesus put his fingers into his ears and then removed them, it meant, “I’m going to remove the blockage in your hearing.” [show this].

When Jesus spit and touched the man’s tongue, it meant, “I’m going to remove the blockage in your mouth.”

When he looked up to heaven, it meant, “This is God who is doing this for you.”

Jesus entered into this man’s world and he healed him. He restored him.

But notice the one other thing Jesus does before he speaks. Mark says, he sighed. This word means to groan deeply as in discomfort.

Why this groan? How was Jesus in discomfort? He wasn’t deaf, he didn’t have a speech impediment like this man did. So, what’s with the deep groan of pain?

I believe it’s because Jesus was feeling the curse of sin in the world and the damage it had done to God’s creation. This was not the way it was meant to be. We see this aching and groaning in Jesus in several spots in Scripture. In Luke 19 Jesus weeps over Jerusalem. Jesus loved the Jewish people and they rejected him. We see Jesus weep in John 11 at the death of his friend Lazarus even though in just a few moment later Jesus would raise Lazarus from the dead. He still wept. Why? Because death is not part of God’s good design for his creation.

We see Jesus groaning deeply in the garden of Gethsemane on the night that he is betrayed, arrested, and crucified. It’s here in the garden that Jesus feels the full weight of what he must do to ransom and redeem humanity back to God. He feels the weight of what he must do to reverse the curse.

Application

You see, Jesus entered into our world. God became flesh and dwelt among us (Jn. 1:14). He was born in the likeness of men (Phil. 2:7). He went to the cross to bear the full weight of our sin, becoming the punishment for our betrayal and rejection of God so that through faith in him we would become his righteousness. Meaning, we would be made right, and declared right before God through the finished work of Christ. That we would be restored and reconciled with our God.

And just like when Jesus said to this man, “Ephphatha - be opened” and immediately his ears were opened and he was set free from the bondage of deafness, when Jesus hung on the cross he said the words, “it is finished.” And it was. No more sacrifice was needed to atone for our sin. He was the final sacrifice. He was the final payment for the debt of our sin that stood against us. And through faith in him we have be set free from the bondage of sin and death.

Do you believe this?

Conclusion

This story here in Mark 7 ends with a profound theological proclamation.

Verse 37 says, that they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Jesus does all things well. Far beyond what we can even fathom. The people here couldn’t grasp what had just taken place before their very eyes and with that they couldn’t contain their excitement and praise even though the very one who just performed this miracle was charging them to remain quiet.

They couldn’t help it. He does all things well! He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak!

This proclamation, like I said has a deep theological significance. It should remind us of Genesis 1-2 when God created, he declared all things to be good. He did all things well.

And as they proclaim that Jesus even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak they’re agreeing with the prophet Isaiah who spoke centuries before of God’s Messiah who would come and do miraculous works of restoration.

It was Isaiah who said in

Isaiah 35:4–6a (ESV)

Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.” Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened [Mark 8], and the ears of the deaf unstopped [Mark 7]; then shall the lame man leap like a deer [Mark 2], and the tongue of the mute sing for joy [Mark 7].

Jesus is, as Mark is so brilliantly revealing in his gospel, the promised redeemer of mankind. There’s no escaping that. He is the one who does all things well and he is the only one who can bring sense and purpose to your life. He’s the only one who can restore you and reconcile you back with God the Father.

He is a mighty, majestic and amazing King but he is compassionate, gentle, and kind. Filled with grace. Filled with mercy. Filled, overflowing with love for you. Rest in his love, drink deeply of his grace. Be imitators of his kindness and compassion, especially to the outcasts, the poor, the hurting, the marginalized, the oppressed. Thus revealing the Kingdom of God and the heart of Christ. And then spread his fame and glory among the nations.