(1) Observation
Jesus went to the region of Tyre and He went into a house v.24a. He did not want anyone to know, but He was not able to escape notice v.24b. Obviously, He was there for a purpose, probably to visit someone privately. However, Mark did not even mention that purpose. Instead in v.24-30 Mark focused on a Greek woman. This woman must be very remarkable. How?
7:27 He said to her, “Let the children be satisfied first, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and to throw it to the dogs.”7:28 She answered, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” 7:29 Then he said to her, “Because you said this, you may go.
(2) Interpretation
Jesus was impressed by her statement in v.28. What was that?
(NET) The term dogs does not refer to wild dogs (scavenging animals roaming around the countryside) in this context, but to small dogs taken in as house pets. It is thus not a derogatory term per se, but is instead intended by Jesus to indicate the privileged position of the Jews (especially his disciples) as the initial recipients of Jesus’ ministry...
(NET) The term dogs does not refer to wild dogs (scavenging animals roaming around the countryside) in this context, but to small dogs taken in as house pets. It is thus not a derogatory term per se, but is instead intended by Jesus to indicate the privileged position of the Jews (especially his disciples) as the initial recipients of Jesus’ ministry...
(BKC) But Jesus’ reluctance to help stimulated her faith...The woman accepted Jesus’ statement with the words, Yes, Lord (“Sir,” a title of respect). She realized He had the right to refuse her request. However, feeling no insult in the analogy He used, she pressed it a little further: Even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.
Her point was that the dogs get some food at the same time as the children and thus do not have to wait. There need be no interruption in His instructing the disciples for all she humbly requested was a crumb, a small benefit of His grace for her desperate need.Because of such a reply, which demonstrated her humility and faith, Jesus told her to go home (cf. 2:11; 5:34; 10:52), and assured her that the demon had left her daughter. The words “has left” (perf. tense) indicate the cure was already complete.
(3) Reflection: When I taught the children Sunday school we talked about how God answers prayers: yes, no, or later. However, this woman did not take an answer for later.
This reminds me how to pray. Yes, I know that I need to wait for the true justice to come when Jesus will return and judge the world. However, I can ask God to give us some "crumbs" to see "some" justice be done on the earth. Yes, I know that our sins will be all gone and we will receive the glory when Jesus returns. However, I can ask God to give me hope so that I will not despair.
This Greek woman also demonstrated humility when she took the answer "later." Can we? When our needs seem so urgent and important can we take "later" for an answer from God? Does God have the authority in our heart?
She also demonstrated faith when she went home after Jesus told her that the demon has left your daughter. Will you believe before you see?
Audrey
Comments