The story
Some people brought their friend to Jesus. The man could not hear at all, and he could hardly talk. “Please help him!” they begged.
Jesus took the man away from the noisy crowd, to a quiet place. Jesus knew he couldn’t hear, so he used his hands to show him what he would do.
Jesus gently touched the man’s ears and his tongue. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and sighed. He was praying to his Father for help.
Jesus said, “Ephphatha!” That means, “Be opened!” Right away, the man’s ears opened. He could hear birds singing and leaves rustling!
His tongue was loose, and he began to talk clearly. “I can hear! I can talk!” He laughed and danced with his friends, and they all hugged him.
Everyone was amazed. “Jesus does everything well!” they said. “He even makes deaf people hear and helps people talk!”
