THERE was once brought to the Lord Jesus a man who “was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech.” The case of this man seems to resemble that of many who fail to declare plainly that the Lord is indeed their Saviour. Such a one we met with the other day―a man who dared not say he was the Lord’s, yet who believed on Him in the heart. Now in the healing wrought by Jesus we read, He “saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, ‘Be opened.’ And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain.” Thus, in the order of the miracle, first the ear was opened, and then the speech followed.
“Can you not own the Lord as your Saviour?” we inquired of our friend.
“It is of no use saying so,” said he, “if it be but from the head; it must come from the heart.”
“Well, J.,” said we, “when the Lord was here He made both the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak, and, by your conversation, we are assured you belong to Him: one word from Him, and your lips shall be opened.”
“I know He is the Saviour, but I cannot say He has saved me,” was the reply.
“He is saying more than he has before,” broke in a friend of J.’s; “his mouth is being opened.”
“Is He not the Saviour, and did He not die to save?” responded J., with warmth. “None can save but He, and I know He is my Saviour.” And, as he spoke of the worth and love of the Lord, J.'s face shone again. Unknown to himself, he was confessing with his mouth the faith that was in his heart―his tongue was loosed.