For the NIV reading, click here
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+7%3A24-37&version=NIV
Two stories:
the first about Jewish priority (God sent Jesus first to the Jews and then to everyone else - also seen in Paul's letters) and yet how Jesus is not rigidly bound but responds genuinely to human need; some very interesting stuff in this story.
the second, another healing, that leads to people's amazement which won't be contained though Jesus hushes them repeatedly
Thoughts, questions, possible applications?
Comment on the first story: In the book of Mark, Jesus is on the move. Those who want something from him, must push their way through the crowds and show great faith.
ReplyDeleteHe chooses to go to Tyre. The woman is 1. a woman 2. a gentile 3. has a demon possessed daughter and yet she still seeks him out. This had to have taken not only great faith, but also great courage. Jesus is physically exhausted and is looking for rest, but he cannot go unnoticed.
So, to sum this up for me, this is my not just a story about a woman with all odds against her, but this is also my story. We see that Jesus will reach out to all people, He is the Savior of everyone. We must notice Him in our own house. We must seek Him with great faith and sometimes with great courage. He will touch, heal, and save those with purity in their hearts.
Comment on Second Story: Jesus is still on the move. He is reaching out in Gentile territory. Matt, correct me if I am wrong, is Mark the only gospel that tells this story? I think it is included for two reasons: 1. it again shows that Jesus is the Savior available to all people 2. Perhaps blindness and deafness are symbolic. Jesus can open our eyes so that we may see and our ears so that we may hear. He is preparing us for the spiritual truth.
ReplyDeleteThe hushing - I believe Jesus doesn't want to become a celebrity. While God does care about our physical comfort, that's not the reason Jesus came. He performed miracles as a tangible way to show humans that he was the Messiah, but his true concern was in transforming hearts.
Amazing insights Wendy. I particularly like the thought that blindness and deafness are simply metaphorical. This applies to everyone. There is hope.
ReplyDeleteHi everyone,
ReplyDeleteStory 1 has always bugged me. Why did Jesus initially turn her away? I didn't think he was very nice to her. Secondly, demon-possession is apparent quite a bit in the Bible. Is it not so prevalent now or do we just not recognize it?
Wendy, you're right...Jesus is on the move, but almost always so that He can reach people rather than forcing them to come to him. Inevitably however, as Jesus was on the way, others recognizing their need reached out to him too. It is 'my/our' story...if we are Gentile, it is our story! Jesus is even willing to move outside the priority of Jews (i.e., ministry to Jews first, then Gentiles) in order to show He really is for all. Good thoughts on the second story too...and it is only told in Mark.
ReplyDeleteAnyone have thoughts on Sheryl's questions?
ReplyDeleteThe story of the Syrophoenician woman is one that brings up a lot of debate. I remember first studying this and being really upset when Jesus seems to call the woman a dog. I think the main frustration is with the word "dog." It has come today to be such a derogatory term in our culture today that I find it offensive. But we must consider the cultural context of the situation. The focus should not be placed on Jesus' initial response, but on the woman's reply. She knew that Jesus was the Son of God and therefore could handle his task with the Jews and still have enough left over for her. But her response so easily could have been something like the following, "You jerk! What do you mean that my daughter isn't worth your time? Grrr!" But she didn't. She thought about his reply and pointed out the truth of who he was and the all-encompassing strength he had to do God's work. How often do we ask Jesus for help, not like his response, and whine? How better off would we be if we would just pause and think of the greatness of God and remind ourselves of all that He is? It is so easier to blame God when things don't go our way, as this woman easily could have. Instead, we should thank God that no matter, things are going to go His way and in the end His will shall be done.
ReplyDeleteSheryl,
ReplyDeleteThis is my best guess.....
I think that this verbal exchange Jesus has with this woman allows her the opportunity to be humble. She does not turn from him insulted, but instead acts with humility and begs for crumbs from her Master's table. Also, I think it helps her case that she is there on behalf of another person. It demonstrates not only her faith, but also her compassion.
As far as demon possession. This is hard for me, too. Today, in most cases, I think we would assume mental illness or some other medical condition (epilepsy, for instance) I want to believe the word of God, though. So, if the Bible says that Jesus removed demons from a person, then that is what I want to accept.
I have an eight year old son who is fascinated with space and science. I sometimes worry that in his quest for knowledge, he may actually be led away from truth. It's one of the reasons I talk to him about Albert Einstein all the time. A prominent scientist who understood Natural Law and thought that through science we would gain a better understanding and closeness with our Creator. I bring this up, because I think that we often depend on the "facts" be it medical or some other scientific realm, and then we later learn that what we thought to be true, is not. I choose to put my trust in the Lord.
Sheryl, for a few thoughts we made earlier on demon possession, look at the bottom of the website and click "Reading 8" and read the comments. You might find it helpful.
ReplyDeleteGood thought Shari ("How often do we ask Jesus for help, not like his response, and whine?").
ReplyDeleteThe Syr-Ph woman speaks out of a place of historical power over Israel - Tyre. But Jesus says that He has a chronological priority, and that is to reach Israel first, with the rest of the world to follow (Gentiles). It's not either or, but a matter of when. Based on several things, however, Jesus 'breaches' the chronological priority and meets her need anyway: he's in Gentile land, she submits to God's authority that comes through the parable of the table and dogs, and prays...she speaks from within the context of the parable that Jesus told. She says, basically..."OK. household dogs are not usually fed until the kids bellies are full...but in you (Jesus) there is more than enough 'food' for the kids to be fed (Israel) with all kinds of crumbs and scraps falling to the ground at the same time...can't my daughter and I have some of that?" Jesus responds and says, 'sure.' By the say, she is the first person in all of Mark to really understand a parable and respond to its truth!
The second story is best read after reading Isaiah 35. For someone to not only have a hard time hearing, but also speaking puts him in a place of isolation rather than community. (How many among us are in that kind of circumstance, and what are we doing about it?)
ReplyDeleteJesus pulls him away from the crowd, as he has done with His disciples.
Literally v. 35 reads 'the chain of his tongue was broken.' This is the language of liberation and freedom!
Knowledge of Jesus based only on miracles is not accurate - as Mark unfolds, it will again become more and more clear that who Jesus is cannot be understood apart from the cross and resurrection.
Another Gentile becomes family because of their faith in and faithfulness to Jesus.
So...how do we live out these two stories?
You guys are all awesome ! These are outstanding thoughts on some stuff I've never had a good handle on . I mostly like Wendy's comment on the attitude of humility of the Phonecian woman . I'd like to think that was the key to her request being granted .Humble yourself/be exalted . Exalt yourself/ be humbled .
ReplyDeleteHmmmm. Scientific truth vs Biblical truth. That will have to wait for another day. Or another blog. Not to worry though. There's a place for both in this world.
ReplyDeleteMy own day's final thoughts on these two stories: Jesus is for all of us, Jew and Gentile, straight and not, sinner and righteous, young and old, religious and non, and everything in between; there is more than enough Jesus to go around; Jesus' power in my life demands humility/surrender; the word of Jesus gives freedom; Jesus is often found wandering outside of 'Jerusaelm.'
ReplyDeleteakathartos - greek for unclean or demonic, meaning impure. This is the word used in verse 25, "For a woman whose young daughter had an UNLEAN spirit..." The opposite is katharos, from which we get the word catharsis. A catharsis is a purging or cleansing or release; a good cry would do it. This is the same word that is often used in scripture to describe a pure heart.
ReplyDeleteFor several years I suffered from anxiety and depression, an unclean spirit,akathartos . When I began walking with Jesus, He taught me to cry, or release my tensions and fears and stresses, katharos.
Since then I have been FREE of a myriad of drugs that didn't solve the problem, only masked it. Jesus still changes lives today. He's awesome.
Okay, I have a tough time with this one. I don't want to offend here so no one take offense here. I am greatful that people can be diagnosed with depression and walk closer with the Lord and no longer need to take meds. I need the meds right now. I get very sick of having to justify this to Christians.
ReplyDeleteOn another note, It is isolating to be hearing impaired even in our time. I can't imagine what it was like in Bible times. I do agree that deafness and blindness is symbolic of distance from God. That doesn't follow that people with disabilities are that way because of Sin. I can't count the number of times that I have been prayed over because of my physical and emotional disabilities. Nothing has changed after the prayers so the assumption is made that I must have some major unconfessed sin in my life. These are just my thoughts. Don't throw rotten fruit at me the next time I come into Church. Especially tomatos because they stain.
Darla, no offense taken, and certainly no assumptions offered. Quite simply honest witness and testimony as to GOD's work in my life. Plain and simple.
ReplyDelete