Jesus used
Sign Language

Did you know?
Jesus was Deaf Aware
Jesus used sign language

Jesus gave hearing to a deaf man in Mark chapter 7 verses 32-35
Some people brought a man to Jesus. This man was deaf and could not talk. The people begged Jesus to put his hand on the man. Jesus led the man away from the people to be alone with him. Jesus put his fingers in the man’s ears. Then Jesus spit and touched the man’s tongue. He looked up to the sky and made a deep breathing sound. Jesus said to the man Ephphatha! (means Open!). When Jesus did this, the man was able to hear. The man was able to use his tongue and spoke clearly.

Jesus was Deaf Aware
Jesus took the deaf man away from the crowd. Jesus knew the man could concentrate better. Jesus knew its hard to concentrate when lots of things are happening around.
Jesus took him to a private place. Why? Jesus wanted to focus on the deaf man alone. Also Jesus knew that deaf people don’t like hearing people staring at them. Jesus was truly deaf aware.
Jesus looked upward. Why? So the man could see easy for lipreading, with no shadows on His face from the bright sun.
Jesus said one word. Ephphatha (means Open). Jesus didn’t preach to him. Just one word. Easy to lipread. You can imagine the clear way Jesus spoke.

Jesus used Sign Language
Jesus touched the man’s ears and touched his tongue. Why? Jesus was asking the man in sign language if he wanted to hear and speak.
Jesus was showing in sign language, or gesture that He knew what the man wanted. And Jesus showed the parts of the body to be healed.

Jesus healed the deaf man
The man was deaf, but there was nothing wrong with his voice. Jesus did two miracles.
One, Jesus gave the deaf man his hearing.
Two, the man needed time to hear speech and learn to speak. Maybe a long time.
So Jesus gave the man speech quickly. Jesus was showing how deaf aware He was. Jesus knew the man was not deaf and dumb.

Why did Jesus heal the deaf man?
To show His power. Jesus healed blind people, paralysed, lepers, and even dead people. He gave them life again.
To show He is God. Only God can heal people like that. Jesus is God’s Son.
To show He has power to do anything. Jesus can do impossible things. He can change people’s lives.

Jesus can forgive sin also
Was Jesus weak? No. He had power. He healed many people. He even changed the weather.
Was Jesus a thief or cheat? No. He never sinned. He is pure and holy.
Did Jesus deserve to die? No. We deserve to die and go to Hell.
He died to save people from sin. To save people from Hell. To give new life. He has the power to do it.
But we say: “No. I want my own life. I like the things I do. I do wrong things, but I’m not too bad”.

What has Jesus done?
Jesus died on the cross. Why?
He was punished for sin. Jesus died not for His sin. He never sinned. He died to take away our sin. All people who believe in Him.
Can Jesus take away my sin? How?
He suffered on the cross. But not only the whips and nails and crown of thorns. He suffered because His Father punished Him.
Why did God punish Jesus?
God must punish sin, because He is holy. God could wait until we arrive in Hell, and punish us there, but He has mercy for us. He punished Jesus instead.

But what about...
But it happened 2000 years ago. How can it help me?
Jesus did not stay dead. He came back from the grave and went back to Heaven. He has great power. And we can pray to Him today.
But I never prayed before.
Don’t worry. Prayer is not hard. God understands Sign Language. He sees into our hearts. He sees if we really want our sin forgiven. We can’t hide anything from Him.
But what shall I pray?
The most important thing is ask Him to forgive your sin. God loves to hear that prayer. He loves to answer it, and give new life.

Any more questions?
When we are alone, and try to think about life, there are many questions:
What is life for?
Where do we come from?
When I die, what will happen?
Is God really there?
Is there really a Heaven and Hell?
Only people who are Christians can answer those questions. Because they know God, and read the Bible.
Which do you prefer?
1. Living as best you can without God. With no hope at death.
2. Having a Friend in Heaven who answers prayer and will welcome you to Heaven when you die.

If you have any other questions, please email us.