Word Live: Children, Crumbs And Dogs
In our busyness we all need time to be alone and undisturbed. Thank God for the space you have been able to set aside today to be with him.
Bible passage
Mark 7:24–30
Jesus honours a Syro-Phoenician woman’s faith
24 Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. 25 In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an impure spirit came and fell at his feet. 26 The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.
27 ‘First let the children eat all they want,’ he told her, ‘for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.’
28 ‘Lord,’ she replied, ‘even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.’
29 Then he told her, ‘For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.’
30 She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.
Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Explore
Most parents have experienced the panic that strikes when a child is seriously ill, and can empathise with this desperate mother (v 25). Although a Gentile, and a woman, she has no hesitation in seeking out Jesus, the Jewish rabbi and healer.
His response to her plea for help is enigmatic, even harsh, but he is testing her resolve and faith. Through the homely illustration of a family meal, he reminds her that his mission is first and foremost to the Jews. (His use of the word ‘dogs’ here (v 27) refers to family pets but is still a reminder of the disparaging attitude of many Jews towards the Gentiles.) Why should he help a Gentile? Is he prejudiced like the others? How will she react to such a setback?
The woman responds with faith and humility. She believes he is merciful and is willing for any scraps of mercy: ‘even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs’ (v 28). Here is real, persistent faith and it moves Jesus to commend her. As a Gentile, she too can believe. The gospel is for all, regardless of race. The only criterion is faith. When she returns home, she finds her daughter well. The demon has gone.
Author
Tony Horsfall
Respond
How convinced are you of the mercy of God? How determined are you when it comes to asking help from God?
Deeper Bible study
‘I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.’1 Thank you, Jesus, that you reach out to everyone.
Jesus’ mission involved proclaiming the good news about God and his kingdom, casting out demons and healing the sick (1:14,15,34–39). The good news is not limited to Israel. In 4:35 – 5:20, we saw Jesus make a journey into Gentile territory and here, in verses 24–30, he travels again to a Gentile region. Later, Jesus will declare that before the end comes, the good news must be proclaimed to all nations (13:10). It is therefore no coincidence that, after Mark introduces Jesus as the Christ and the Son of God (1:1), these very aspects of his identity are acknowledged by a Jew (8:29) and a Gentile (15:39).
Jesus’ reply to the Syrophoenician woman in verse 27 seems harsh and puzzling. Earlier he had ministered to Gentiles without hesitation (3:7–10; 5:1–13), but now he seems to state that his mission is to Israel (‘the children’) and not to the Gentiles (‘the dogs’). Still, Jesus leaves room for negotiation. In fact, he only indicates priority in his mission: ‘let the children be fed first’.2 The woman is remarkably perceptive. She acknowledges Jesus’ order of priority and her position as a ‘dog’ but, by adding a table and crumbs to Jesus’ illustration, she ‘repositions the dogs in order to describe a scenario that includes her daughter’.3
Driven by her need, this Gentile woman is undeterred by Jesus’ challenge and uses wit to claim a part in Jesus’ mission. Jesus commends her insight and response. This episode must be understood against the background of Jesus’ miraculous feedings in Mark 6 and 8. After ‘the children’ of Israel were filled, the disciples gathered plenty of leftovers (6:42,43; 8:8) – symbolic for the extension of Jesus’ mission to the Gentiles!
Do we recognise the good news of God’s all-embracing love and reflect that in our interactions with people?
1John 12:32 2 RT France, The Gospel of Mark, Eerdmans, 2002, p298 3 KR Iverson, Gentiles in the Gospel of Mark, T&T Clark, 2007, p54
Author
Cor Bennema
