Jesus - Saves

AdamsEve · Chief Honcho Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Posts: 1342

Pleading for Mercy

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Mark 7:24
“ Left that place ” translates ( “ from here ” ) and may refer to the house ( 7:17 ), to Gennesaret ( 6:53 ), or to some other place.

( “ the Gentiles hear the Good News ” ).

Phoenicia ( now Lebanon ), in which the city of Tyre was located, bordered on Galilee to the northwest. Why Jesus went there or how far he penetrated into this territory we are not told.

Apparently Jesus did not go there for public ministry. He went into a house “ and did not want anyone to know it. ” This suggests that he went there to get out of the public eve, perhaps to rest and to prepare himself spiritually for what he knew lay ahead of him.

But his hope of a time of quiet retirement was negated. His fame had apparently spread beyond the borders of Galilee into the territory of Phoenicia, and “ he could not keep his presence secret. ”

Mark 7:25
She is submitting to Jesus authority and it is expressed in her attitude and speech.

Mark 7:26
One of the persons who sought out Jesus was a Gentile woman. No doubt she had heard about his healing powers and came to him because her daughter was possessed by an evil spirit ( v 25 ).

The woman was “ a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia ” ( v 26 ). Since she obviously was not a Greek by nationality, “ Greek ” is probably equivalent here to “ Gentile ” ( to distinguish from Jew ). ”

By nationality the woman was a Syrophoenician. In those days Phoenicia belonged administratively to Syria. So Mark probably used Syrophoenician to distinguish this woman from the Libyo-Phoenicians of North Africa.

Mark 7:27
Is Jesus being hard on her? No; He does the same with us, to help us learn true faith, perseverance, and persist in prayer.

Mark 7:28
Jesus’ conversation with this woman must have been in Greek, not Aramaic. There is no reason why Jesus, raised in Galilee, would not have known Greek.

In the villages and towns of Palestine, he would ordinarily have used Aramaic. But in the coastal cities of the Gentiles, he spoke Greek.

Jesus’ reply is in the form of a comparison between the children of the household and the little dogs ( “ puppies ” ) that were kept as household pets ( v 27 ).

The contrast is between the privileged position of Israel ( “ children ” ) and the less privileged Gentiles ( “ little dogs ” ).

The period immediately following the birth of the Jerusalem church saw the time of Israel’s opportunity when the children ‘ first ’ would be fed; but this is no exclusive right belonging to the Jews.

Blessings are offered to Israel first meaning the Gentiles will also receive after the Jews.

Later there would be provision made for Gentile “ dogs. ” So far as this woman was concerned, the “ later ” time had already come, because Jesus responded compassionately to her needs.

The reply of the woman ( v 28 ) was impressive. She admitted her status ( “ Yes, Lord ” — the only time Jesus is called “ Lord ” in Mark ) but refused to believe she was excluded from any benefits. “ even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs. ”

She has a desperate need that only Jesus could answer.

Mark 7:29-30
Jesus was pleased with the woman’s reply ( v 29 ).

It revealed to him not only her wit but also her faith and humility, and he responded by declaring that her daughter had been healed ( “ the demon has left your daughter ” ).

This is the only instance of healing at a distance found in Mark’s Gospel.

The woman returned home and discovered the truth of what Jesus had said ( v 30 ).

She found her daughter lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

Recap

V 24 Jesus could not hide and we can’t hide from Jesus if He is in your home, if He is in your life.

We are not told what the demon done to the child.

We are not told how long the child had the demon.

We are not told about the demon leaving the child.

We ARE told that Jesus healed the child. Just as He can heal us.

We need to have faith and trust in His love, power, mercy and grace.

Matthew 9:28
When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they replied.

Matthew 21:22
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

Mark 9:24
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Do you have doubts?

The disciples did not yet see who Jesus was or hear what He was saying.

Open yourself up the the Word of God and He will speak to you and when you hear, trust and obey.

How can the church help with spiritual deafness?

Have you heard a teacher or preacher say a jarring remark but actually taught a lesson?

Can you learn something from this woman in your supplication to Jesus?

Prayer;
Dear Father in Heaven, I pray we believe and have faith that this woman had. She knew Jesus could help her and we should also know that Jesus can help us and we never stop seeking Him in everything we do. Thank You Lord. Amen.

TGIF

_________________
Acts 4:12
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name
under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”