QT 19/03/2026 Thu. Mark 7 “Ephphatha.” Be Opened. Ears and Mouths. “以法大！” 开了吧。耳朵与嘴巴。

QT 19/03/2026 Thu. Mark 7  “Ephphatha.” Be Opened. Ears and Mouths.
READ http://www.esv.org/mark7

Mark 7 offers a powerful reminder of the difference between external rituals and the internal transformation that Jesus brings. In this chapter, the phrase “Ephphatha” (“Be opened”) is a key point that touches on both physical and spiritual realms. Jesus’ healing of a man with a speech impediment and deafness serves as a metaphor for the deeper cleansing He offers, one that goes beyond physical purification and speaks to a transformation of the heart. Let’s unpack these points through four key sections from the chapter, tying them into the theme of cleansing and openness.

(1) Clean / Unclean: Traditions and Commandments (Mark 7:1-13)

In the first part of Mark 7, we see the Pharisees and scribes confronting Jesus about the ritual washing of hands, cups, pots, and dining couches. Their concern is about outward cleanliness—rituals designed to avoid defilement from unclean things. However, Jesus challenges them by pointing out that their traditions, while focusing on outward purity, often overshadow the true commandments of God. He criticizes them for prioritizing human traditions over the Word of God, which calls for honoring one’s parents and living with integrity.

Here, Jesus flips the script: True defilement is not about what enters the body but about what proceeds from the heart.

Application: While cleanliness in terms of hygiene is important, Jesus emphasizes that our focus should not be on external rituals, but on cultivating a pure heart—one that honours God and others. This challenges us to evaluate the things we prioritise. Are we caught up in external appearances, or are we more concerned with inward purity and transformation?

(2) The Real Dirt: The Heart of Man (Mark 7:14-23)

Jesus declares that “there is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him,” and He lists a series of sins that come from the heart: evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness (Mark 7:21-22). The real defilement comes not from what we consume physically, but from the choices that arise from within.

Application: We often focus on external cleanliness—how we look, how we behave in public, and what we eat. But the real “dirt” we need to deal with is what is hidden in our hearts. Sin originates from within, and it is only through Jesus’ cleansing power that we can truly be made clean. This speaks to the importance of dealing with the internal “dirt” of sin—through repentance, prayer, and openness to transformation by the Holy Spirit.

(3) The Cleansing from Unclean Spirits. The Exemplary Faith (Mark 7:24-30)

The story of the Syrophoenician woman is an example of great faith and demonstrates Jesus’ ability to cleanse from spiritual defilement. The woman, a Gentile, humbly seeks healing for her daughter, showing great persistence and trust in Jesus. Even though the initial response from Jesus may seem harsh, her faith stands out. Jesus praises her, saying, “For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter.”
Application: This section shows that true cleansing comes from faith in Jesus Christ. It’s not about outward status or heritage, but about a personal relationship with Jesus and a belief that He can heal and transform. Even when things seem difficult or unexplainable, faith opens the door to healing and restoration.

(4) The Ears that Hear and the Tongue that Speaks (Mark 7:31-37)

In the final section, we see Jesus healing a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment. Jesus touches his ears and tongue and says, “Ephphatha” (“Be opened”), and immediately, the man can hear and speak clearly. The crowd responds in astonishment, proclaiming, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Application: The healing of the man with a speech impediment and deafness is symbolic of what Jesus wants to do in our lives. He desires to open our ears to hear His voice and to free our tongues to speak truth and proclaim His glory. When our hearts are opened by faith, our ears are opened to hear the truth of God, and our mouths are opened to speak His praises. Ephphatha is a call to openness—not just to physical healing, but to spiritual transformation.

Conclusion: The Importance of Washing?

While the washing of utensils, cups, and pots may have had ceremonial significance, Jesus makes it clear that true cleansing is not about outward actions but about an inward transformation. The physical cleanliness of the body is temporary, but the spiritual cleansing of the heart is eternal. Jesus calls us to examine our hearts—because that’s where the real defilement lies. The washing we need is a washing of the heart, a cleansing from sin, and an opening of our ears and mouths to receive and proclaim the goodness of God.

Application: This passage challenges us to evaluate where we focus our attention. Are we obsessed with outward rituals, or are we seeking inner transformation through faith in Christ? Jesus wants us to be opened—to hear His voice, to speak His truth, and to live with a pure heart before Him.

“Ephphatha.” Be opened. Let’s open our hearts to His cleansing work, hearing His voice more clearly and proclaiming His goodness with our words and actions.

Prayer

Heavenly Father. We come before You with grateful hearts, asking for Your cleansing and transformation. Forgive us for the times we’ve focused on outward appearances instead of our hearts. Open our ears to hear Your voice and our mouths to speak Your truth. Strengthen our faith, and help us live in a way that reflects Your love and holiness.

We trust in Your healing power and ask that You continue to restore us, inside and out. May our lives glorify You in all things. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

QT 19/03/2026 星期四. 马可 7 “以法大！” 开了吧。耳朵与嘴巴。
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/mak/7/

马可福音第七章有力地提醒我们：外在仪式与耶稣带来的内在改变存在本质差异。本章中“以法大”（“开了吧”）这一短语成为关键转折点，同时触及肉体与灵性领域。耶稣医治聋哑人的神迹，象征着祂所赐更深的洁净——超越肉体洁净，直指心灵的更新。让我们通过本章四个关键段落，将这些要点与洁净与敞开的主题相联结。

(1) 洁净/不洁：传统与诫命（马可福音7:1-13）

在《马可福音》第七章开篇，法利赛人和文士就洗手、杯碟、锅具及餐凳的礼仪洁净问题质问耶稣。他们关注的是外在洁净——通过仪式规避污秽之物的玷污。然而耶稣指出，这些专注外在纯净的传统往往遮蔽了上帝真正的诫命。他谴责他们将人的传统置于上帝话语之上，而上帝的话语要求敬重父母、持守正直。

在此，耶稣颠覆了认知：真正的污秽不在于进入身体之物，而在于从心里发出的恶念。

应用：虽然卫生层面的洁净很重要，但耶稣强调我们不应专注于外在仪式，而应培养一颗纯洁的心——敬畏上帝并尊重他人。这促使我们审视自己的优先事项：我们是否沉溺于外在表象，抑或更关注内在的纯净与改变？

(2) 真正的污秽：人心本质（马可福音7:14-23）

耶稣宣告：“从外面进去的，不能使人污秽”，并列举一系列源于内心的罪：恶念、淫乱、偷盗、凶杀、奸淫、贪心、邪恶、诡诈、放荡、嫉妒、毁谤、骄傲、愚妄（马可福音7:21-22）。真正的污秽并非源于外在饮食，而是源于内心深处的抉择。

应用：我们常关注外在洁净——外貌仪态、公共场合举止、饮食选择。但真正需要清理的“污秽”，是隐藏在我们心中的污秽。罪源于内心，唯有借着耶稣洁净的大能，我们才能真正得洁净。这彰显了处理内在罪污的重要性——通过悔改、祷告，并敞开心扉接受圣灵的改变。

(3) 洁净污秽的灵。典范的信心（马可福音7:24-30）

叙利腓尼基妇人的故事彰显了伟大的信心，也证明了耶稣能洁净属灵的污秽。这位外邦妇人谦卑地为女儿寻求医治，展现出对耶稣的坚定信心与执着追求。尽管耶稣最初的回应看似严厉，她的信心却格外突出。耶稣称赞她说：“就凭这句话，你回去吧，鬼已经从你女儿身上出去了。”

应用：本段揭示真正的洁净源于对耶稣基督的信心。关键不在外在身份或血统，而在于与耶稣建立个人关系，并确信祂能医治与改变。即使面对困境或不可解之事，信心仍能开启医治与恢复之门。

(4) 听见与说话的耳朵（马可福音7:31-37）

在最后一段中，我们看到耶稣医治了一位又聋又哑的人。耶稣摸他的耳朵和舌头，说：“以法大”（“开了吧”），那人立刻能听能说。众人惊奇地说：“他所作的一切事都好极了；他竟然使聋子听见，又使哑巴说话。”

应用：耶稣医治那个口吃又聋的人，象征着祂在我们生命中所要成就的事。祂渴望开启我们的耳朵，使我们听见祂的声音；释放我们的舌头，让我们说出真理，宣告祂的荣耀。当我们的心因信被开启时，耳朵便能听见神的真理，口舌也得以发出赞美。“以法大” 是敞开的呼召——不仅指向身体的医治，更指向生命的更新。

结论：洁净的真义？

尽管洗涤器皿、杯盏和锅具具有礼仪意义，耶稣却明确指出：真正的洁净不在于外在行为，而在于内在的改变。身体的洁净是暂时的，心灵的洁净却是永恒的。耶稣呼召我们省察内心——因真正的污秽藏于其中。我们需要的洗礼是心灵的洁净，是脱离罪愆的洗涤，是开启耳目以领受并宣告神恩典的启迪。

应用：这段经文挑战我们审视关注的焦点。我们是沉迷于外在仪式，还是通过信靠基督寻求内在的改变？耶稣渴望我们敞开——聆听祂的声音，传讲祂的真理，以纯洁的心活在祂面前。

“以法大”。敞开吧。让我们敞开心扉迎接祂洁净的工作，更清晰地听见祂的声音，用言语和行动宣告祂的美善。

祷告

天父上帝，我们怀着感恩的心来到你面前，求你洁净我们、改变我们。求你赦免我们那些只注重外表、却忽略内心的时刻。求你开启我们的耳朵，听见你的声音；开启我们的嘴唇，传讲你的真理。求你坚固我们的信心，帮助我们活出彰显你爱与圣洁的生命。

我们信靠祢医治的大能，求祢持续从里到外更新我们。愿我们生命在万事上荣耀祢。奉耶稣的名祷告，阿们。