"He Has Done All things Well" - Maynard Force

“He Has Done All Things Well”

And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech; and they besought him to lay his hand upon him. And taking him aside from the multitude privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue; and looking up to heaven, he sighed, and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. And he charged them to tell no one; but the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well; he even makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak.”

The words, “He has done all things well,” were spoken about Jesus. In fact, these words can refer only to Him. It might be said of some of us that we have done some things well but never that we have done “all things well.”

The words of our text are worth memorizing for they are words that have eternal significance. They can be used constantly here on earth when reviewing Christ’s dealings with us, and the ages of eternity will not be long enough to exhaust their use.

Sometimes we may find it difficult to understand that “He has done all things well” but that fact remains true just the same. Often it takes years to understand that even when we go through trials and testings, our Lord is doing all things well.

Our text tells us how Jesus dealt with a deaf mute who was in desperate need of help. He imparted such a blessing that the crowd was astonished beyond measure and uttered the memorable words of our text. Jesus deals in similar ways when He imparts blessings today. So let us learn from this text how to receive a blessing.

HE TOOK HIM ASIDE

Jesus first took him “aside from the multitude privately.” This act was disappointing to those who had brought the man to Jesus, for they “besought him to lay his hand upon him.” In the past they had seen Jesus lay His gentle hands upon the afflicted and had witnessed the healing which followed. They came therefore with their afflicted friend and requested that He do the same for him.

We often make the mistake of dictating to the Lord how and when He should impart a blessing. If the Lord does not act in response to our demands, we are quickly discouraged and become an easy prey for the devil.

There are some cases where the Lord cannot impart a blessing immediately—not that He is not able to give the blessing but the individual involved is not able to receive it. Time is required for people to become prepared for what the Lord has to give. Whenever the Lord imparts a blessing in a different manner than we request, He is always doing it in the best way. The sooner we learn this truth, the better. Most of our requests are marked “Rush.” God, however, uses a different time schedule which often calls for a waiting period. The case of the deaf-mute called for just such a waiting period. Jesus saw that this case required private attention. The man was not prepared for what Jesus had to give and, therefore, he had to be taken “aside” for a time of preparation.

To be taken away from one’s friends and to be left alone with Christ is an act not easily understood. Those who have found themselves suddenly removed to a sickroom often rebel at the thought of being taken away from their associates. Others who have had to move to new surroundings, away from their old friends and acquaintances, often spend their time feeling sorry for themselves rather than finding their joy in private fellowship with Jesus Christ. If only lonely people could see the act of God behind the circumstances of their lives, their outlook would soon change. Most people would rather be with their friends in the multitude than to be alone with Christ.

Jesus desires to bless the needy but He often chooses lonely circumstances in which to impart this blessing. The hustle and bustle of everyday life are not conducive to imparting a blessing. He who prays for a blessing must be prepared for private fellowship with Christ before he can be answered.

HE PUT HIS FINGERS IN HIS EARS

When Jesus received the undivided attention of the deaf-mute, He was ready to prepare him for the coming blessing. Still He did not “lay his hand upon him” but He “put his fingers into his ears.” This case required His fingers rather than His hands.

The ailing one not only had to be taken away from his friends but he had to learn the lesson of waiting—that lesson which is so difficult for us to learn. Our nature is so rebellious that if we are not granted our request immediately, we are apt to sulk. The psalmist, knowing this weakness, cried out, “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage” (Psalm 27:14).

This waiting period was required to enable Christ to put His fingers on what was wrong. The ears of the deaf-mute caused his trouble and Christ immediately put His fingers in them.

He who spends time alone with Christ will soon get acquainted with His “fingers.” The physician of our souls has a very thorough clinic through which He takes I-us patients. The Holy Spirit’s X-rays miss nothing. Those who are yielded and teachable soon have their sins pointed out and can say with David, “I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me” (Psalm 51 :3). Often at this point a sin-sick soul feels more miserable than he did when he first came to Christ. To have Christ put His finger on our trouble is no laughing matter. Sorrow fills the soul and inward pains that cannot be described are felt.

The opposite of what we expect often results. Well do I remember the time when I prayed that I might be saved. I thought that God’s peace would fall on me like gentle dew. Rather, He took me aside and put His fingers on my sins. In place of heaven’s peace falling upon me, a period of great conviction gripped me. Misery, sorrow, and fear filled my heart. Wherever I turned, I saw God’s accusing finger pointed at me. I saw my sins as I had never seen them before. I knew then what the apostle Paul meant when he said, “Wretched man that I am! who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24), and what David meant when he said, “Thy hand was heavy upon me” (Psalm 32:4).

God’s clinics are not easy. He who submits himself to such examination needs to pray with the psalmist, “Search me, 0 God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139 :23-24)

HE TOUCHED HIS TONGUE

The next step in preparation for the blessing was dealing with the deaf-mute’s tongue, for not only did he have ear trouble, but he had “an impediment in his speech.” The tongue is a small member very seldom seen, hidden away in the mouth. Before Christ could deal with this afflicted member, the man had to open his mouth and show his tongue. This, to be sure, was not a dignified sight but it was the only way by which he could be helped.

He who would secure soul help must not only have Christ point out his trouble but he must be willing to “open up” so Christ can help him further. This is not easy, for there is nothing harder to do for us human beings than to confess our sins. To open the inner recesses of our heart is the act whereby we “put to death” our members which are upon the earth (Colossians 3 :5). Death is never easy and certainly nothing dies harder than our old nature. Martin Luther in his catechism expresses it thus, “That the old Adam in us, together with all sins and evil lusts, should be drowned by daily sorrow and repentance and be put to death.”

Notice—Jesus “touched his tongue.” He did not slap it or criticize it but He gently touched the afflicted member. Christ, our Saviour, has such a way about Him that if He can but touch some afflicted one, that one will never be the same again. All whom Jesus touched were helped. It is interesting to notice that Jesus does not hesitate to touch the most miserable people. Lepers who had not been touched by a healthy human being since their dread disease was first noticed were touched by Jesus Christ when they cried out for mercy.

The slightest contact with Christ—even a touch— is so powerful that the one involved is changed. The woman with the issue of blood merely touched His garment and she was healed instantly. Once a contact is made with Christ, a heavenly current that produces a miracle immediately surges through the afflicted one. His is a miracle touch.

Do not hesitate to open your heart to Christ even if it humiliates you to tears. Lay bare the innermost recesses of your heart and let the one who can help you take over. Your case is not hopeless. He loves to deal with hard situations for He has not suffered defeat yet. He stands ready to handle your case now.

Christ dealt with the ears, the instruments of intake, before dealing with the tongue, the outlet—the organ of expression. Our listening members need correction before we can be in position to give. It is interesting to note that we have two ears but only one mouth. We are to have a greater capacity for listening than for speaking. James emphasizes this truth by saying, “Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak” (James 1:19).

HE SPOKE THE WORD

The fourth and last step in the healing of the deaf-mute was the giving of the proper word by Christ. Therefore Christ said, “Ephphatha,” that is, “be opened.” And his ears were opened, and his tongue was released.

Something always happens when God’s Word is spoken. He Himself has affirmed, “My word …shall not return unto me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11). God has given us His inspired, revealed Word—the Bible. He has told us that “the word of God is living, and active, sharper t h a n any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12). Living means “full of life,” not something dead like other books but something that imparts life to the dead. God speaking through Jeremiah said, “Is not my word like fire says the Lord, and like a hammer which breaks the rock in pieces?” (Jeremiah 23:29). Therefore we are urged to “search the scriptures” for therein we meet Christ who can give us the word that will bring blessing to us.

Satan knows that God conveys His blessings through the Word; therefore, he must do his utmost to keep people away from the Bible. That is why we find it so difficult to read and search the scriptures consistently daily. That is also why so many people never enter the church where God’s Word is preached—not that they have anything against the church but they have so many interests that keep them away. Satan does not need to get people to curse God to insure their being lost but he must keep them away from the Word, the means whereby God has chosen to bless His people today.

The Bible with its sixty-six books stands ready to impart untold blessings to all who will obey it. It is like a gold mine waiting to be explored. All who have had their eyes opened to behold wonderful things out of it can say “amen” to the testimony of the psalmist, “How sweet are thy words unto my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!“ (Psalm 119:103).

It is foolish to pray for blessings and then stay away from the Word which is God’s chosen way of conveying that blessing. He who would be blessed must come in contact with Christ through His Word.

Our text has given us four simple steps that lead to a blessing. When Christ completed His dealing with the deaf-mute, the people “were astonished beyond measure, saying, ‘He has done all things well.’” If Christ is permitted to have His way with people today, He will again impart a blessing so that the statement will be made, “He has done all things well.”

The people of this world should be given many occasions to be “astonished beyond measure” at the wonder-working power of Jesus Christ. If it could be said of the apostles that “they recognized that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13), then similar statements should be heard about the Christians today.

The eternal fact remains that Jesus Christ has done all things well. His coming to this earth as our Saviour, His teaching, His individual dealings with seeking souls, His dying on the cross for our sins, His going to prepare a place for His own—all can be summed up in the words, “He has done all things well.” God the Father expressed this same truth in the statement, “Thou art my beloved Son, with thee I am well pleased” (Mark 1 :11).

A new chapter can begin in the life of any who will let this same Saviour lead them step by step. The one and only conclusion to which all come who submit themselves to Jesus Christ is that “He has done all things well.”