Mark - Lesson 11...Continued from page 3

DAY FOUR: Faith Won’t Give Up

Please carefully read Mark 7:24-30 and answer the following questions.

At first read it looks like that the prior subject of religiosity, cleanness versus uncleanness, etc. has ended and on to another miracle of Jesus.  But this is very closely tied in with what Jesus said to the religious leaders as we’ll see.  Jesus actually left Palestine, the only time recorded that He did so, and would put into practice the very things He just had talked about.[xiv]  Matthew 15:21-28 records this as well with a few other details, so you will want to look at that passage too.

1.  First of all we notice that Jesus tried to remain incognito in the area, but news soon leaked out that He was there.  Who in particular came to Jesus for help, and what did she ask of Him (v. 25, 26)?  How does Matthew 15:22, 23 describe her anguish and the disciples’ attitude toward her?

2.  Mark said that this woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician; this means she was Greek in religion, Syrian in tongue, and Phoenician in race.[xv] She was first of all a woman, whom Jews rarely if ever spoke to in public; a Gentile, whom the Pharisees would consider unclean; and she came to Jesus about her daughter possessed with an unclean spirit.  This story would greatly encourage Mark’s Gentile readers who had been persecuted and rejected like she had been.[xvi]  At first was she rebuffed, but how did she continue to seek Jesus’ help (Matthew 15: 24, 25)?  Then how did Jesus seem to shockingly address her situation (Mark 7:27)?

3.  This didn’t deter the woman who was so moved by faith that her daughter could be healed by Jesus.  She addressed Jesus humbly, worshipfully, and called Him Lord?and no one else in the Gospel of Mark called Him that![xvii] What was her classic answer to such a strong rebuff (v. 28)? How did Jesus respond to this (v. 29, 30; Matthew 15:28)?

4.  Prostrating one's self was indication of not just a sign of grief but of reverence and worship; interestingly both a pagan woman and a synagogue ruler (Jairus) did so to Jesus![xviii]  Suffering and sin are great equalizers, and Jesus came to break down the walls that kept all people from a personal relationship with God.  The word Jesus used for dogs wasn’t a mangy mutt, but a diminutive form of the word dog, or a puppy.  Jesus wasn’t trying to insult the woman, but rather to give her something to latch onto, testing her faith which He knew was genuine.  Jesus was telling her that His first priority in being there was instructing His disciples; as it is not appropriate to interrupt a family meal to give the dogs food from the table, it was not appropriate for Him to interrupt His ministry to His disciples to give His services to her, a Gentile. Jesus’ seeming reluctance to help instead stimulated her faith.[xix] The Pharisees would have no doubt just passed this woman by, leaving her daughter to suffer on.

All she wanted was just one of the crumbs the kids would drop for the little dogs for her little girl.  Jesus gave her a meal instead, and answered her request!  What are a few things you glean from the following passages about how all mankind is lost in sin but yet Jesus brings forgiveness and salvation for all people of all nations who believe, and how He made this possible?

Romans 1:16, 17; 2:4-16
Ephesians 2:4-14, 19-22

Scripture Memory:  Try to fill in the missing words in the blanks below, by memory if at all possible, and then review the passage several times today.

For from _________________________, out of the _______________ of men, _________________________ evil thoughts...__________ these ____________ things come from __________________________ and __________________ a _____________.   Mark 7:21a, 23 (nkjv)