What?

"And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, 'Ephphatha!' (that is, 'Be opened!') And the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. " - Mark 7:32-35

My wife will sometimes accuse me (rightfully so I must admit) that I have selective hearing. I blame genetics - for I come from a long line of selective hearers. And while I sometimes legitimately don't hear everything she says - it's more often than not that my selective hearing is because I hear - but don't listen - to what she's telling me. This event is usually followed up with apologies and swift action to correct the situation... that is, until it happens again. Sorry honey. :)

When I read this passage, I wonder if the deaf man (and the crowd) are part of the group that ends up leaving Jesus after awhile. That they too suffer from selective hearing - sure the deaf man can now hear the words of Jesus - but will he listen to him, as God commanded us to during the Transfiguration? Will they listen to his words, or simply stand in awe of his actions? Unfortunately, for many, they will simply look at the actions and, when confronted with the profound Truth Jesus tries to impart on them, decide it's too much and walk away.

It's unfortunate, but yet we can take a lesson from it - that we need to listen - as much as we hear - Jesus's words in our lives. That, when sitting at Church, reading our favorite blog (hint hint), or simply hearing a verse in passing we stop and listen to what those words have to say. What those words mean to us, to our present situation, to the lives we're currently leading, and continue to commit to following Christ.

Take it from a guy who has a bit of experience in this area - you miss out on some really good stuff if all you do is hear.