Sermonette: Sighing

We’ve had a heavy and difficult year, and I still feel that in my frequent, deep sighs. The pandemic, the political fighting, the polarization of our world just feels too much to add to our already busy lives, filled with just normal ups and downs.

Jesus sighed too. And I think we can see why.

When we see Him in Mark 7:24-37, He’s traveling the countryside, performing miracles, gaining popularity and status, well-liked, getting all the accolades anyone would want. But He knows this won’t last. He knows this whole ministry thing ends in His suffering and pain. He knows the path He’s on.

With His rock-star status, the crowd brought Jesus a man who could not speak or hear since birth.

Then Jesus looked up in prayer, groaned mightily, and commanded, “Ephphatha!—Open up!” And it happened. The man’s hearing was clear and his speech plain—just like that. (Mark 7:34-35 MSG)

Ephphatha. As difficult as it is to pronounce (ef-fa-tha), it’s a beautiful invitation to God to open Himself to us.

Jesus knows groaning. He knows pain and frustration and having people around Him who need help—like real, deep, soulful help, like saving help. He knows disappointment and the overwhelming feeling like His groans aren’t being heard.

Ephphatha—an Aramaic word meaning “God, please open!!”

Jesus is not resigning, or giving up on life. Jesus’ sigh is an acknowledgment that He refuses to restrict life. He refuses to get in the way of that which brings life. He refuses to be closed. “Ephphatha! Be open!!”

When you sigh—in this time where there’s so much to sigh about—notice it. See it as a gift, a prayer, a call to God to come into your life and meet you there. Be open to God’s solutions when you see none yourself. Open to the Holy Spirit to envelope you, to give you words when you have none, and to hold you in your brokenness. Ephphatha! Amen.