GREAT THINGS ENTERPRISE
CLAUDE BLACK
Mark 7:37
Credit Where Credit is Due
Credit Where Credit is Due
A mother asked her daughter to deliver the eulogy for her father. The man was abusive to his wife and daughter. Few of his fellow workers had any good thing to say about him. He kept the family near starvation because he spent so much on alcohol. The daughter tried to avoid the speech, making excuses for herself. But the mother insisted. When it came time for the daughter to give her speech, she walked to the lectern, looked at the crowd, stood speechless, and after a few seconds, she walked back to her chair. Later, her mother told her that she understood that she was too overcome with emotion to speak; however, the daughter simply couldn’t find anything commendable to say about the man, so she stood silently.
On a different occasion, a speaker was asked to deliver the eulogy for his friend and colleague. The deceased had lived a commendable life, demonstrated love for his family and friends, and was a model community leader. When it was his turn, the speaker went to the lectern and began his speech. What should have been a brief review of the man’s contributions turned into a long speech. The director cleared his throat several times to notify the speaker that his time was up, but he continued. To the director’s relief, the speaker came to the end, but then said, “One more thing,” and continued several more minutes. It was impossible to put the man’s accomplishments in a few words.
Jesus and his disciples made a long walk from Galilee to Tyre, then to Sidon. Afterward, they made a giant circle coming back through the Decapolis north and east of Capernaum. Along the way, some people brought their deaf and mute friend to Jesus, imploring him to place his hands on him for healing. Jesus did, and the man began to hear and speak plainly. Matthew suggests that Jesus did and taught many other things on this journey (Matt. 15:30-31). When it was time to move on, people were thankful for Jesus’ visit. “And beyond all measure they were exceedingly amazed, saying, ‘He has done all things well, even the deaf he made to hear and the mute to speak.’” (Mark 7:37) According to Mark, the people in the Decapolis were astonished by Jesus’ ministry—not only astonished, but astonished “above measure.” An admirable example and worthy personal goal.
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