Hey everybody, welcome to the podcast, I’m Nick and it’s awesome to be here with you today.

Today is June 21.
Each day, we follow a simple rhythm: Slow Down, Read, Notice, Reread, Meditate, Respond, and Exercise.

Let’s begin.

Slow Down

You are stepping into a sacred space with Jesus.

Set aside the distractions of your day.

Close your eyes. Take a deep breath in, then slowly release it.

As you inhale, whisper: “Jesus, speak Your word over me.” 
As you exhale, pray: “Ephphatha — be opened.”
Do this three times, then rest in His presence.

Read

Jesus left Tyre and went up to Sidon before going back to the Sea of Galilee and the region of the Ten Towns. A deaf man with a speech impediment was brought to him, and the people begged Jesus to lay his hands on the man to heal him.
Jesus led him away from the crowd so they could be alone. He put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then, spitting on his own fingers, he touched the man’s tongue. Looking up to heaven, he sighed and said, “Ephphatha,” which means, “Be opened!”  Instantly the man could hear perfectly, and his tongue was freed so he could speak plainly!
Jesus told the crowd not to tell anyone, but the more he told them not to, the more they spread the news. They were completely amazed and said again and again, “Everything he does is wonderful. He even makes the deaf to hear and gives speech to those who cannot speak.” (Mark 7:31–37, NLT)

Notice

What stands out to you in this passage?

Is there a word or phrase that catches your attention?

Hold it in your heart for a moment.

Reread

Hear this story again — and notice the care and intentionality with which Jesus heals this man, and the single word He speaks.

Meditate

Jesus takes the deaf and mute man away from the crowd — privately, gently, away from spectacle. He puts His fingers in the man’s ears. He spits and touches the man’s tongue. He looks up to heaven and sighs — a deep, feeling sigh, as if He is taking on the weight of this man’s condition — and then He speaks one word: Ephphatha. Be opened.
And immediately the man’s ears are opened, the tongue is released, and he speaks plainly.
There is something deeply tender about the way Jesus heals in this passage. He doesn’t perform for the crowd. He takes the man aside. He uses touch — the kind of physical contact that communicates to someone who cannot hear that he is seen, that something is about to happen, that he is not alone in this. And the sigh — that sigh speaks of a Jesus who feels the brokenness He is about to undo.
Be opened. It is a word spoken over a man who could not hear. And it worked — because the One speaking it is the Word through whom all things were made.
That same word is available to us. Not as a formula, but as a prayer — an invitation for Jesus to open what has been closed in us. Ears that have grown dull to His voice. Hearts that have closed around old wounds. Mouths that have been silenced by fear or shame.
Ephphatha. Be opened. He is still saying it.
Take a few moments to reflect on this question:

What in me needs to be opened today — my ears to God’s voice, my heart to His love, my mouth to speak what He has put in me to say?

Respond

Jesus, speak Your word over me today. Whatever has been closed — my ears to Your voice, my heart to Your love, my mouth to Your calling — I ask You to open it. Not by my effort but by Your word. Ephphatha. Be opened. I receive that word today as if You are speaking it directly to me — because You are.

Exercise

The rush of life will meet you again when you leave this sacred place—but you can carry this moment into your day by forming new habits.
Habit: Be Opened

Today’s habit is a practice of attentive listening: find a quiet place, set a timer for ten minutes, and simply ask Jesus to open your ears to His voice — then listen.
You are not manufacturing a mystical experience. You are practicing the posture of someone who believes that Jesus still speaks and that their ears can be opened to hear Him. What comes to mind during that silence — a Scripture, a name, a prompting, a sense of peace or conviction — receive it gently and bring it back to God.
Before you begin, pray simply: “Jesus, Ephphatha. Open my ears. I want to hear Your voice today — not just words about You, but You Yourself speaking. I am listening.”

I have one ask of you before you go, would you please consider supporting this podcast? Click the support the podcast link and give a simple gift.
That’s your two minutes with Jesus for today.

Now, take what you’ve heard…share it and live it.

Until next time, keep slowing down, keep listening, and keep walking with Jesus.