Mark 7:24-30 - Syrophencian: "Jesus, satisfy my needs"
Notes
Transcript
24 And from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house and did not want anyone to know, yet he could not be hidden. 25 But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell down at his feet. 26 Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27 And he said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 28 But she answered him, “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” 29 And he said to her, “For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter.” 30 And she went home and found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.
When Jesus came to new cities, the first place He would go was a Jewish synagogue
Jesus was Jewish
But He came here for some privacy
Jesus often would withdrawal from the busyness and of the public to spend time in prayer one-on-one with God or to train His disciples in a more personal way
He attempts to remain hidden, but He’s often found out.
He comes to the region of Tyre and Sidon
This is Gentile territory.
There were Jews and Gentiles
They hated each other.
Tyre and Sidon were not friendly places for Jews to visit.
Jesus is approached with this desperate woman with a problem.
This woman’s daughter had an unclean spirit
Her daughter is possessed by a demon
Mark thinks it’s important to note this woman’s nationality
Mark 7:26 “26 Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth.
The woman was Greek-speaking and born in Phoenicia in Syria.
This woman was a full-blooded Gentile.
Jews and Gentiles do not get along
Gentiles were dogs, far from God, strangers to the promises of Israel, unclean.
At first glance, Jesus appears very derogatory Jesus appears dismissive
Matthew 15:23 said that Jesus did not answer her a word.
Indifferent silence.
This is a very awkward reaction from Jesus.
Did He just call her a dog? (v. 27)
“Jesus. That wasn’t very Christ-like.”
He’s treating someone who is begging at His feet with cold indifference.
He told her in Matthew’s account that His mission is that He “was sent only for the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matt. 13:24).
The bread that He’s referring to in v. 27
The blessings of the Messiah’s ministry and God’s provision to His people (Jews)
This Gentile woman knows she has no grounds to expect help from Him
But she’s persistent
A Woman With Persistence
“Lord” (v. 28)
She dropped the Messianic title on Him!
She refers to Him as “Lord” 3 times in Matthew’ 15.
Her identification of Jesus is more insightful than the Pharisees, the disciples, and the crowds
She identifies Him as “Lord.”
She knows that He’s her only hope to rid her daughter of the demon
No one else can save.
“First” (v. 27)
Hinge word (circle it in your Bible)
She hears that word and receives hope
“So you’re saying there’s a chance?”
She acknowledges that salvation is for the Jews
“Yes, and amen! Let the children be satisfied first. But even the dogs get scraps.”
“Sure, your mission is for Israel, but I couldn’t help but notice you’re in Gentile territory talking to me.”
She knows that He is the Lord.
This Gentile woman understands something even the disciples haven’t even fully grasped yet
Even after the Jews are satisfied, there is still enough grace for me.
God is an ever-flowing fountain of infinite grace
Jesus does not have to budget His love
He’s a big spender
A Woman With Peace
Her faith brought Him much joy! (Matthew 15:28)
“O woman, great is your faith!”
She returned home and found her daughter well.
This woman saw Jesus on the other side of the cross (before His crucifixion)
We at least know that Jesus has died and has been resurrected!
We know that Jesus died to save us from our sins
We have the benefit of history to know this
But not her—Jesus is standing in the room with her
She had not seen His love through His blood
He has revealed His love for us in that Jesus died for the ungodly
She heard the word that has been brought to you
Jesus can meet all your needs and heal your heart
Jesus can forgive your sin by the power of the cross and His resurrection
If you’ve not believed in this gospel
Repent of your sins and live in Christ.
Let’s believe He is our Savior and approach Him humbly. Jesus promised that all who come to Him, He will never cast out (John 6:37), just like the Syrophenician woman
Psalm 40.
Psalm 40:1-3 “1 I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. 2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.”
“Jesus, things have been hard but I know I can trust you. Help me to...”
Psalm 40:4-5 “4 Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie! 5 You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told.”
“Jesus, you are amazing! I want to tell other people that....”
Psalm 40:6 “6 In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required.”
“Jesus, thank you for caring about my problems. Thank you for being...”
Psalm 40:7-8 “7 Then I said, “Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me: 8 I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.””
“Jesus, I want to know your Word. Teach me this week to...”
