3/13/11 (Video version edited for the “O’ Worship the King” broadcast.)  “…some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged him to place his hand on the man. …Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. …and touched the man’s tongue.  He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means, “Be opened!” ). At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.”  Mark 7:31-35   This was a physical healing, but I see truth here that is applicable to a spiritual and emotional healing that is needed in many of our lives. We are like this man in that we are closed, shut down and the command to be opened is just as needful. There’s great healing power in the touch of Jesus, but there is also healing power in the touch of God’s people. There is a strong parallel between healing & wholeness AND being open & touching. To be touched is a basic human need, so it’s not surprising Satan has worked hard to align  “touching” as something perverted and sinful, robbing us of it’s redemptive power. PLEASE NOTE: SPECIAL MUSIC AT THE END IS THE HAWAII BAPTIST ACADEMY EAGLE CHOIR, JODY LOVETT DIRECTOR.