Tag: Mark 7
Crumbs for the ‘dogs’!
Scripture reading for February 18: Mark 7
“And from there He arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And He entered a house and did not want anyone to know, yet He could not be hidden. But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of Him and came and fell at His feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged Him to cast the demon out of her daughter. And he said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” But she said to Him, “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” And He said to her, “For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter.” And she went home and found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.” Mark 7:24-30
Jesus was on a mission to the Gentile region of Tyre and Sidon. He entered a particular house and wanted to remain anonymous but could not be hidden. A woman whose daughter was possessed by a demon spirit came and fell at Jesus’ feet. Although a Gentile, she humbly appealed to Jesus the Jew for deliverance. Jesus responded in a curious way–almost seeming to disrespect her for being a Gentile. The Jews of that day called the Gentiles ‘dogs’ and Jesus seemed to imply that deliverance belonged only to the Jews who were considered God’s ‘children’. Jesus was not disrespecting her but was drawing out her faith and perseverance. All God’s blessings are received by faith, whether in a Jew or a Gentile.
The woman would not be offended or angered, but simply responded that even ‘dogs’ (Gentiles) would be given crumbs from the table of the Jews! Jesus marveled at her faith and granted her prayer quickly! She went home and found the child was delivered and well! Her trust in Jesus is still being used to inspire faith and perseverance!
Have you ever had to persevere to get what you needed for yourself or your children? How might you have reacted to Jesus’ statement about not giving the ‘children’s’ bread to dogs? Do you have a tendency to discount your chances of receiving your answer because of your background or race?
Prayer: Father God, thank You that you do not show favoritism but whoever calls on Your Name will be saved. Thank you for helping us by testing our faith and our perseverance and drawing out of us faith confessions. I praise You that we all can be ‘children of God’ regardless of race or background! Amen!
Faith that presses over obstacles!
Scripture reading for February 18th: Mark 7
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Mark 7:26-30 “First let the children eat all they want,” He told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “but even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” Then He told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.” She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.”
Jesus was approached by a Syrophoenician woman in need of healing for her demon-possessed daughter. His response to her could have been taken as offensive and highly partial. He told her that the deliverance she was seeking belonged first to the Jews–they were God’s children! A reply like this today in our culture would have been a terrible offense that could result in prosecution!
But this woman was not offended, but countered Jesus’ statement with a deep faith that healing and deliverance would be for all who sought Jesus out. Her reply, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” brought a positive response from Jesus! She would not be denied or deterred, but persevered and received what she was believing for!
Observations for over-comers: God is honored when we persistently pour out our hearts to Him for help, even when we don’t understand why obstacles or delays appear to hinder us. “I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. I pour out my complaint before Him; before Him I tell my trouble.” (Psalm 142:1-2)
Honor with the lips only!
Scripture reading for February 18th: Mark 7
“So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with ‘unclean’ hands?” He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. They worship Me in vain; their teaching are but rules taught by men.”” (Mark 7:5-7)
Jesus and His disciples were always under scrutiny from the religious establishment. Jesus did not back down when they confronted Him about keeping their traditions. They majored on the traditions but had missed the commands of God that pointed them to acts of mercy and service. Their greed was behind some of these traditions! Jesus pointed to the commandment to honor your mother and father and another teaching of Moses that anyone who would curse father or mother should be put to death. These Pharisees instructed people that if they gave money to them for ‘God’s work’, they did not have to help their father and mother! (Mark 7:9-13) They had nullified the command of God by their tradition!
Jesus went on to teach that what really made men ‘unclean’ was not failing to wash their hands! “Listen to Me, everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a man can make him ‘unclean’ by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him ‘unclean’. . . For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slader, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean.'” (Mark 7:14-15, 21-23) Let’s check our hearts today! Only Jesus’ blood can cleanse the heart!