Mark 7:23-37; Grace For Gentiles

Mark 7:24-37; Grace For Gentiles

Sermon in a sentence: Jesus gives grace to even us Gentiles.

Jesus’ Grace For The Humble (vs. 24-30)

After Jesus leaves the prideful Pharisees he meets this humble Gentile.

The Pharisees thought they were clean and holy. Yet they were dead inside.

The Syrophoenician woman understood that she was unclean and came begging.

Jesus’ words were intentionally difficult. Yet, the woman responded appropriately.

Jesus calls the women unclean.

In bridging the contexts we should not try to relieve Jesus’ supposed want of chivalry. Jesus is deliberately scandalous—throwing stumbling blocks in people’s way. He affronts the Pharisees by calling them hypocrites to their face and scoffing at their beloved tradition, and he insults this Gentile woman by hinting she is a dog. One should allow the scandal to stand and emphasize that one must overcome the scandal before one can open the door for Jesus to help.

David E. Garland, Mark, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996), 293.

2. The woman acknowledges her uncleanliness.

She knows that she cannot insist on God’s mercy and does not take offense when Jesus tells her so. She will gladly accept the rank of household dog if it means getting fed (Ibid, 289).

3. The woman’s humility demonstrates her faith.

The woman’s response reveals that she comprehends more about the bread that Jesus offers than even his disciples do (Ibid, 289).

Jesus’ Grace For The Hurting (vs. 31-37)

The last time Jesus was in this region, he was told to leave.

Once again, we see people bring the sick and hurting to Jesus.

The answer to our pain is Jesus. How can we keep this message from the lost and dying world?

This time, the people do not harden their hearts to Jesus.

Mark once again reminds us who Jesus is in verse 37. (Exodus 4:9, Isaiah 35:4-6)

Exodus 4:9 ESV

9 If they will not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground, and the water that you shall take from the Nile will become blood on the dry ground.”

Isaiah 35:4–6 ESV

4 Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.” 5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; 6 then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert;

Questions

Are you humble?

Do you realize your spiritual state before a holy God?

Do you realize your slavery to sin, death, and satan?

Do you realize your spiritual deaf, blind, and muteness?

How can you be humble?

a. Look to your own sin with God’s eyes.

b. Look around to the pain of this world.

c. Look to God’s grace in your life.

d. Put your hope in Jesus for salvation alone!

Are you willing to tell others about Jesus?

Are you willing to help the nobodies?