Mark 7.28 28 But she answered, “Yes, Lord, but even the
dogs under the table can eat the children’s crumbs.” (NCV)
The cultural magnitude of this account is lost on most of
us – Jesus was well aware of what the stooges were going to say to their
masters when they told them about this little interchange: a Syrophonecian
woman no less! I think the disciples were blown away as well.
We have to be careful with stories like this one in the
Bible. It may seem at first that the Lord was being rude to this woman. He sure
didn’t want to be noticed – which ought to tell us something about the Master;
He wasn’t into celebrity. But she found out about Him because everybody was talking about Him – and she
had a need! So she went to Jesus to get Him to help and He appeared to not want
to help.
The Lord’s reply was something one might not expect: He
said, “Let the children be satisfied
first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the
dogs.” Whoa Dude, did You just say what I thought I heard; are You calling her a dog!? You know, in situations like this,
attitude is everything.
She kept pestering the Lord – it says so right there in
Mark 7.26: And she kept asking Him
to cast the demon out of her daughter. And Jesus kept coming right back at
her: “Let the children be satisfied
first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the
dogs.” But she kept it up and He said He was only going to take care of the
children (the Jews) first. And then she says: “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs
under the table can eat the children’s crumbs.” Attitude is everything.
She could have accused Him of being bigoted. She could
have accused Him of being insincere. She possibly expected the cold shoulder –
but she didn’t scream at Him: you worthless piece of crap, HEAL MY
DAUGHTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She played along and gave it right back to Him. And He
did what we all expect anyway “Go home to your pathetic situation you miserable
wretch, the demon is gone!” (Oh, I guess He didn’t say that did He?)
Jesus was under orders from the Father and on mission.
Her faith was tested and she pleased God who abundantly rewards those who earnestly believe He is who He says He is (Hebrews 11.6)
Again, I see holy desperation rewarded. I see humility
and true compassion on the part of a mother for a child and God was pleased.
And Jesus healed. Attitude is everything and hers was a sweet smelling aroma to
the Lord.
Lord, I know she didn’t take anything for granted but the
woman believed. And You rewarded her belief and met her need and the need of
her child. Help me to walk persistently in faith and to trust You when things
don’t seem to be going the way I need them to go. Like employment. Like Africa.
Like the rest of it. My attitude toward You is everything. Father, I trust in
You for there is no other option – Amen.
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