Persistent Faith

Our Love for God

Loving God by Trusting Christ

Renounce Everything for Christ

Mark 7:24-30 The Message

24-26 From there Jesus set out for the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house there where he didn’t think he would be found, but he couldn’t escape notice. He was barely inside when a woman who had a disturbed daughter heard where he was. She came and knelt at his feet, begging for help. The woman was Greek, Syro-Phoenician by birth. She asked him to cure her daughter.
27 He said, “Stand in line and take your turn. The children get fed first. If there’s any left over, the dogs get it.”
28 She said, “Of course, Master. But don’t dogs under the table get scraps dropped by the children?”
29-30 Jesus was impressed. “You’re right! On your way! Your daughter is no longer disturbed. The demonic affliction is gone.” She went home and found her daughter relaxed on the bed, the torment gone for good.

For Reflection

This story also appears in Matthew 15:21-31 in much the same version.  We often focus on Christ's silence, refusal or reproach. God often does not answer our petition immediately. The refusal and the rebuke may have been Christ's way of testing the sincerity of the woman's faith.  Her persistence proved the validity of her faith.

But in Matthew, the story is also about the culturally embedded expectations of the Jews and is reflected in the responses of the disciples.  They came complaining to Jesus about the woman's apparent loud and persistent approach.  They wanted Jesus to grant her request and dismiss her.

The disciples only wanted to be rid of her. In some ways, their response to this woman's plea was harsher than Christ's silence. She, after all, was a gentile. Gentiles or Pagans were commonly called dogs by the Jews. Perhaps Christ's demeanor and choice of words were directed at teaching the disciples a lesson by reflecting their perception of who was worthy to receive the favor of Christ.

Pray

Pray so that you will be able to respond compassionately and sharing the gift of Grace with all people. 

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