Heralds Digest

“Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭7:34-35‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.7.34-35.nkjv Trust and confidence in relationships are built on experiences of result-oriented engagements. Those who have struggled to produce results in their life’s professional, career, family, academic engagements know pretty well the trauma of living with disrespect. When Jesus was requested to put His hands on the dumb and deaf man, He knew the expectation of the multitude is not limited to just a casual touch and laboratory experimentation with no tangible change in the plight of the deprived man. Yet, Jesus conducted the physical experiment apparently because that was the only window that connect with the lively sense of the anxious man in need of faith to believe. Human engagements in life’s projects at home, workplaces and in...

“And she answered and said to Him, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children’s crumbs.” Then He said to her, “For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter.”” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭7:28-29‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.7.28-29.nkjv The concept of predestination appears to build its confidence in a flesh-based fellowship or relationship. When Jesus said to the Syro-Phoenician woman “Let the children be filled first...”, He apparently tested her possible conviction on the fact that the fate of everyone in life has been pre-destined; or depend ultimately on his background and family affiliation. Obviously, privileges and opportunities in life are not evenly distributed. But while many people are easily discouraged at any given exposure to unfair treatment in life, the courage of this woman teaches that fruitful fellowship will readily nullify the concept of predestination. Little wonder that Jesus said “For this saying go your way; th...