Mark - Jesus Is Our Source

The Gospel of Mark

The Gospel of Mark, generally held to be the first gospel recorded, and is the shortest Gospel in our bible.

John Mark, the writer of the gospel and cousin to Barnabas and missionary companion to Paul.

The Gospel of Mark was likely written to persuade Gentile readers in Rome that Jesus’ death on the cross did not invalidate his claims to messiahship or his proclamation of the kingdom of God, but rather that his resurrection, miracles, and prediction of his death justified his claims.

Jesus Is Our Source

Mark 3:20-30 (Jesus cast our demon and is accused of having an unclean spirit)

Mark 5:1-20 (Jesus cast out multiple demons into pigs)

Mark 7:24-30 (Jesus cast demon out of little girl because the faith of her mother)

Mark 9:14-29 (Jesus cast demon out of boy, father cries out “help my unbelief”)

Message Outline

Out of these 4 miracles where Jesus cast our demons I want to focus on 1 particular passage. In this passage I want you to think about this miracle but also focus on the mother in this story

Mark 7:24–30 ESV

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.

The Mother:

What is her objective?

What does she say to Jesus?

Where is her power?

Super Heroes!

- Who in here loves Super Heroes?

- Who is your favorite Super Hero?

I love Super Heroes and Super Hero movies! I have been more of a marvel fan because of the infinity war series but I will say I am excited about what DC is doing with there new movies

Who would win in a fight… Thor vs Captain America

- Cap now has Thors hammer and with that the powers of Thor

Thor is one of my favorite super heroes and I want to use him to help illustrate this passage in Mark chapter 7.

What is her Objective?

Mark 7:25–26 ESV

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.

Syrophoenician = Gentile from Syria

She knew from what she had heard that Jesus could heal her daughter.

She was desperate (physically falling to her knees)

She “begged” Jesus to cast the demon out of her daughter. This mom had one objective and that was to fight for her daughter, and she did that at the feet of Jesus.

In every Thor movie, Thor has an objective!

- It just so happens to be that in every movie his objective is to either save Earth, his world, or the universe

But in my all time favorite Thor movie Ragnarok, Thor is faced with fighting for his world and his people...

And one of the most moving parts in the movie is in the midst of Thor trying to fight for his people he goes to his dad.

What Does Jesus Say to her?

Mark 7:27–28 ESV

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.”

Jesus is acknowledging how his mission is initially directed towards the Jewish people (children) but now, by traveling to Syria, is extending to Gentiles (dogs).

I personally believe that this is a test of faith. Jesus is using the common word Jews had for gentiles (dog) to test this ladies response and her faith.

She responds… “Lord”

acknowledging who Jesus is… God.

She then recalls what He has done for the Jewish children and asks does her daughter not deserve the same.

Where is her Power?

Mark 7:29–30 ESV

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.

Jesus acknowledges her faith and heals her daughter

She leaves the feet of Jesus with assurance that he daughter has been healed.

As Thor is fighting his evil sister to protect his people he is suddenly kneeling at the feet of his father.

Odin: “Even with 2 eyes you would still only see half the picture”

Thor: “She is too strong… I am not as strong as you”

Odin: “No, you are stronger”

In this moment Thor comes to the realization that all along his power does not come from a hammer but the same power as his dad is in him.