Good morning, everyone!
I forgot to publish my post yesterday, so you get two posts today. Yay!
So, today I read Mark 6-7.
In today's reading, we learn of King Herod, and the beheading of John the Baptist, though it's in less detail than Matthew's report. Also, Jesus went around teaching, preaching, and healing the sick.
He was not well-received in His hometown. Everyone was confused, having seen Him grow up, and did not believe.
Doesn't that happen to us sometimes? Our families or high school friends remember how we were, and can't believe or accept who we are?
Yeah.
But what I really want to talk about is the Gentile woman who approached Jesus for deliverance for her daughter, who was possessed by a demon.
She approaches Jesus, and begs Him to heal her daughter.
His reply is not what you might expect.
Mark 7:27 - And He was saying to her, "Let the children be satisfied first, for it is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs."
Does that sound harsh? Maybe a bit, but let's break it down.
The children are the Jews, the Israelites, God's people from the beginning, since the days of Abraham.
They have to be taught and reached and healed first.
Jesus says that it isn't a good thing to take what belongs to them and give it to outsiders.
"But He called her a dog!" I can hear what you're thinking. You. Yes, you. In the corner. I can hear you. Just calm down. Bear with me.
Yes, He called her a dog. But you have to remember the time period. Gentiles did not serve God. Gentiles were outsiders of the Jewish faith and culture. She technically has no right to ask Jesus for anything, since she doesn't even believe in God.
But let's get to her response.
Mark 7:28 - But she answered Him, "Yes, Lord, but even the dogs under the table feed on the children's crumbs."
Wow. Now that's a faith response. She didn't get mad that He called her a dog. She didn't get discouraged by His first reply. She responded in faith, and begged for grace. She asked for a crumb, just the tiniest portion of the meal He was serving to His people.
Mark 7:29 - And He said to her, "Because of this answer, go; the demon has gone out of your daughter."
Jesus didn't have to go to the woman's house, or say anything else.
The woman asked for Jesus' favor.
Jesus tested the woman's faith.
The woman persisted and begged for grace.
Jesus answered the woman's request.
This is a pattern we should all recognize. Sometimes we (and I 100% include myself in this) take the test of our faith as a final "No," and we stop persisting.
We get discouraged, or we get angry when all we would have to do is persist in our request. All we would have to do is beg for grace. Plead for mercy.
I pray that each of you will persist in your pleas, and no matter how long you've been praying, know that God hears you, and His response may not be a "No." It may just be a not yet. But keep persisting.
After all, because of Jesus' sacrifice, we can all be called sons and daughters of God.
Let's exercise our faith this week, and see what happens.
I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Mark 8-9.
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