By Robert Olsen, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
INCLUDES
Mark 7:24–37
The Dejected (24–30)
After having a debate with the Pharisees over their traditions, Jesus and his disciples traveled to the region of Tyre, north of Israel, into Gentile territory.
They went into a house to escape notice, but a Syrophoenician woman entered, pleading with Jesus to heal her daughter who was demon possessed. This was unusual because, first of all, Jesus was Jewish and this woman was a Gentile. These two groups did not casually interact with each other. Secondly, this was a woman initiating conversation with a man, which was against cultural norms. The Pharisees would certainly have seen this interaction as against their traditions.
Many modern readers are insulted by the way Jesus deals with the woman. However, when Jesus talks about throwing the bread to the dogs, He does not say that her daughter is not allowed to receive healing but rather that Jesus’ first mission is to the Jews and then to the Gentiles.
This is the same order that Paul gives us in Romans 1:16. The woman is fine with this arrangement and acknowledges as such in her reply, showing her faith and trust in Jesus. For this, Jesus heals her daughter.
The passage shows that God is for all people and wants all people to experience the gospel, regardless of race, ethnicity or gender.
It also shows how we should approach God. Many people try to understand God by bringing in their own cultural presuppositions into their reading of the Bible. This woman serves as an example in that she believes Jesus and does not debate with Him but exhibits faith.
Her concern for her daughter causes her to go to the only source of healing she could trust.
The Deaf (31–35)
After leaving Tyre, Jesus and his disciples went back toward the Decapolis, where Jesus had healed the man possessed by Legion in Chapter 5. The friends of a deaf and mute man bring him to Jesus for healing. Jesus heals the man by touching him. Jesus is communicating to the man in a way he will understand. Being deaf, he can experience what Jesus is going to do by His hand gestures.
This is how God deals with each of us, meeting our individual needs in a way we can understand. The gospel heals our deepest need — forgiveness of sin and a right relationship with God. But each of us has different struggles in our lives, and God is able to overcome them on a personal level.
The Dumbfounded (36–37)
Once He healed the man, Jesus told the crowds not to tell anyone but they did anyway. Why does Jesus give this command? Wouldn’t he want everyone to hear of these great events?
Most likely Jesus did not want the people to think He was just a miracle worker, leading people to come to Him only to be healed of their physical ailments, not their spiritual condition.
This happens today when people are more interested in Jesus for what they can get rather than for making Him the Lord of their lives. We need to come to Jesus on His terms, not our own.
Many people today see Jesus as their magical genie, asking for money, fame or physical healing instead of coming to Him for their most important need — forgiveness.
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