Mark 7:31-37 Jesus: More Than A Miracle Worker

Jesus: More Than a Miracle Worker

Mark 7:31–37

Introduction: When a Favor Becomes an Expectation

Have you ever done something nice for someone—a small favor, a bit of help—only to find that word spreads, and suddenly, you become “the person who does that thing”? Maybe at work, you’re the one who always fixes the printer. In your family, you’re the go-to person for advice. In the neighborhood, you might be known for lending a hand. Before you know it, people come to you, not for who you are, but for what you can do.

This is what we see happening with Jesus in Mark 7:31–37. News of His miracles has spread, and people are seeking Him, but not necessarily for the right reason. They are excited about the wonders He performs but fail to grasp the deeper purpose behind them.

Background & Context: A Land of Mixed Belief

“Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis” (Mark 7:31).

Jesus is in a region called the Decapolis, a group of ten cities that were heavily influenced by Greek culture. Though this land originally belonged to Israel, it was never fully cleared of idolatry when the Israelites entered the Promised Land (Judges 1:27–33). It remained a place of mixed belief, where Greek traditions and Jewish heritage coexisted.

This is also the area where Jesus had previously healed the man possessed by a legion of demons (Mark 5:1–20), who then spread the news of Jesus’ power throughout the region. Now, Jesus returns, and people come to Him again—this time, bringing a man in desperate need.

Jesus’ Miraculous Healing

A deaf man with a severe speech impediment is brought to Jesus. The people beg Jesus to lay His hands on him, likely because they have heard of His past healings. However, their focus is on the miracle itself rather than the message behind it.

Instead of performing the healing in front of the crowd, Jesus takes the man aside. He touches the man’s ears and tongue, looks up to heaven, and speaks the word “Ephphatha,” meaning “Be opened.” Immediately, the man’s ears are opened, and his tongue is loosened. He can now hear and speak clearly. This act fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah, which foretold that when the Messiah came, “the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped, and the tongue of the mute shall sing for joy” (Isaiah 35:5–6).

Jesus instructs the people not to spread the news, but they cannot keep quiet. The miracle is too astonishing. They proclaim, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak” (Mark 7:37).

The Problem: Missing the Point

The crowd is amazed. They acknowledge that Jesus does great things. But something is missing—they do not respond with repentance or true faith. Unlike the woman in the previous passage who sought Jesus because she knew He was merciful (Mark 7:24–30), the people here are excited about what Jesus does rather than who He is.

Their good intentions brought attention to Jesus’ power, but not to His purpose. They sought the gifts, not the Giver. Like Israel in the Old Testament, who turned to idols for instant gratification (Hosea 4:12–13), the crowd came to Jesus for worldly gain, not spiritual surrender.

Many people today still view Jesus as someone who offers help rather than as the Lord to be worshiped. They admire Him as a miracle worker or teacher but reject His call to repent and follow Him. This reflects a heart that wants God’s blessings while maintaining control of one’s own kingdom.

The Priority of the Kingdom

Jesus’ miracles were signs that the kingdom of God had come (Matthew 11:5), but that kingdom was not first about physical healing or provision—it was about spiritual rebirth. The problem Adam introduced in the garden was not merely physical death, but separation from God (Genesis 3:6–7). Jesus came to reverse that curse, beginning with the restoration of the soul.

The entrance to the kingdom is Christ Himself, and He made it clear: “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). To focus only on His benefits without embracing His authority is to miss the message entirely.

Who Is Jesus to You?

The crowd in Decapolis praised Jesus, but there is no mention of repentance. This raises an important question: Who is Jesus to you? Do you come to Him only when you need something? Do you see Him as a miracle worker, a wise teacher, or as the Savior who rescues sinners?

Jesus came to restore what was broken—not just physically, but spiritually. His power over sickness and disability was a picture of His greater power to forgive sin and make people right with God. The fullness of that restoration will come when He returns. Until then, He calls people to seek Him, not just for temporary blessings, but for eternal life.

Conclusion: The True Reason to Come to Jesus

Jesus is more than a healer or a teacher—He is the promised Messiah. He offers mercy and salvation to all who come to Him in faith. He has the power to restore what sin has broken, and His greatest work is not just in miracles but in the salvation of souls.

So, why do we come to Jesus? Are we seeking temporary blessings, or are we coming to lay our lives before the One who gives eternal life?

Call to Respond

  • If you are a believer, reflect: Do you worship Jesus for who He is, or only for what He can do for you?
  • If you are seeking, consider this: Jesus is inviting you, not just to experience His power, but to know Him personally as Savior and Lord. Will you come to Him in faith?

Scripture References

  • Mark 7:31 – Jesus travels through Decapolis, a Gentile region influenced by Greek culture.
  • Judges 1:27–33 – Israel failed to drive out inhabitants of the land, leading to long-term idolatry.
  • Mark 5:1–20 – Jesus previously healed a man with many demons in this region.
  • Isaiah 35:5–6 – The Messiah will open the ears of the deaf and loosen the tongues of the mute.
  • Mark 7:24–30 – A Gentile woman seeks healing from Jesus with faith, not just excitement.
  • Hosea 4:12–13 – Israel turned to idols and rejected God for immediate satisfaction.
  • Matthew 11:5 – Jesus confirms His identity by pointing to His miracles and the preaching of good news.
  • Genesis 3:6–7 – Adam and Eve sinned by seeking wisdom and satisfaction outside of God’s will.
  • Matthew 6:33 – Jesus instructs His followers to seek the kingdom of God above all else.

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