Great Scot April 2019 Great Scot_156_April_2019_Online | Page 12

Chaplain
Rev David Assender – School Chaplain
Not just the voice
To help someone find his voice is a special undertaking
REV DAVID ASSENDER
SCHOOL CHAPLAIN
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There is a touching scene in the seventh chapter of
Mark’s Gospel, where Jesus is healing a man who is
deaf and mute. In this story it isn’t the clinical result
that catches our attention, it is Jesus’ sympathy and
sensitivity. He takes the man aside privately, explains
through gestures what he is doing, and heals him.
Jesus adapts to the needs of the person he’s helping.
Then, when Jesus says, ‘Be opened’, the man hears
Great Scot Number 156 – April 2019
and immediately finds his voice.
For the few who witnessed the event, Jesus then
requests they keep it to themselves. He isn’t looking
for another notch on his belt of miracles, nor the
publicity as a miracle worker. He’s helping the man
find his voice as inconspicuously as possible.
We might not be gifted with the same miraculous
power as Jesus, but figuratively to help someone find