Mark 7: 24-37

The Gentile Woman

Jesus popularity had skyrocketed because of his teaching and healing. We see in this passage that Jesus went deep into Gentile territory (Tyre) and into a private home to get away from the crowds. However, He could not escape. A Gentile woman who’s daughter was demon possessed began to cry out to Jesus for her daughters healing.

Initially, Jesus ignored her. Matt. 15:22-23

Matthew 15:22–23 NASB95

And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and began to cry out, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed.” But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and implored Him, saying, “Send her away, because she keeps shouting at us.”

The Jewish men had no value for non-Jewish women. They saw them as pests that deserved to be gotten rid of. We see this by the disciples reaction to her plea. They wanted her to go away.

She would not go away. She was persistent in her attempt to get her daughter healed. She had faith in Jesus, humility in her heart, and a focus to do what was best for her daughter.

Jesus responds in what appears to be a rude way. Mark 7:27

Mark 7:27 NASB95

And He was saying to her, “Let the children be satisfied first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”

Jesus wanted to test her faith. He called her a dog. However the Greek word is kynarion which is not the same that gentiles used for mongrel dogs. This term was used for pets. Secondly, Jesus wanted people to know that his mission was not healing but of preaching the gospel first. He was to first preach to the Jews and then the Gentiles.

Application

You may have a significant need in your life right now. I encourage you to take it to the Lord. You may ask “ How?” Lets see how this woman came to the Lord.

Mark (Application: Mark 7:24–30)

First, she had persistence. The woman spoke boldly, pleaded repeatedly, and intensified her request to the point of shouting (Matt. 15:21–23). That’s what the disciples were complaining about. (For those of you who love music: It’s like when a crescendo mark gets larger and larger and you play with greater intensity until you’ve reached double and triple fortissimo.)

We are given the liberty to “bother” the Lord with our prayers. He’s infinitely patient. If you’re not seeing results and the situation remains impossible, keep coming to Him. Don’t stop. Don’t back off. He loves it when His children come to Him. He isn’t deaf. He’s hearing everyone. He isn’t cruel to make you wait; He’s accomplishing something wonderful in you. He’s cultivating in you a great faith. Keep at it. Remain persistent. Deliberately wait for God to work.

Second, she had humility. This was a woman who was truly humble. Her society considered her less than human; Pharisees considered her no more valuable or worthy than a dog. Even so, the woman came to Jesus and said, in effect, “I have no racial claim to the promises of God. I have no righteousness worthy of divine rewards. I have only my need and my faith in Your mercy.” Her humility left no room for a spirit of entitlement.

If there’s a curse in the twenty-first century, it’s an attitude growing among younger generations that the universe owes them success and comfort. The painful, sad truth is that God owes us nothing but eternal punishment! We all deserve nothing except hell. When our expectations begin with the truth of what we are really entitled to, everything else becomes a gift.

A humble heart also avoids blaming and bears no grudges. Undoubtedly, the woman had been marginalized and ignored much of her life, yet she did not let a negative attitude keep her from seeking mercy from God.

Third, she had focus. The woman sought out one person and no one else. The fact that there is no mention of a husband or other family suggests that she was alone, or at least that she had a family that remained distant and aloof. The evil presence in her home probably affected everyone with whom she had contact. She was likely shunned by her neighbors—just think of the implications of rearing a demonized child. With no one else capable of helping her, she focused on Christ, her one true hope.

Fourth, she had confidence. Despite her past experiences, irrespective of the disciples’ discouragement (Matt. 15:23), and regardless of the Lord’s apparent disinterest, the woman continued to ask Jesus for help. And when He declared the girl free of her demon, the woman went home. She didn’t hesitate or ask for assurance. She didn’t require a sign of proof. Without a doubt plaguing her mind, she set out for home to see her daughter cleansed.

As you review the woman’s qualities, ask yourself this question: Would Jesus assess your faith as great?

Private Healing

The next miracle we see is Jesus healing another Gentile who could not hear or speak. This miracle was done a little different than the other miracles. The other miracles were done in public, but Jesus did this one in private. Why?

Probably because this man was embarrassed because of his disabilities. He didn’t want to be in front of a crowd. Jesus took him aside and showed tremendous compassion with him. First He put his fingers in his ears and touched his tongue so he knew that was what Jesus was going to heal. He looked up to heaven and groaned because the fallenness of this world had caused this disability.

Jesus then proclaimed “ BE OPENED”. Immediately the man was healed perfectly.

Jesus instructed the man not to tell anyone. He did this to keep the crowds from deterring him from preaching. However this man in his excitement went and told everyone. He became known as Mark 7:37

Mark 7:37 NASB95

They were utterly astonished, saying, “He has done all things well; He makes even the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”

Application

Mark (Application: Mark 7:31–37)

Taking time for someone in need doesn’t require miraculous abilities or special talents. It requires awareness and attention to the present moment and to the impact of the Lord’s presence on each moment. In that vein, I want to pass along three very simple statements that will change your life. I mean that with my whole heart. These simple statements hold the power to your life. Furthermore, they will change others’ lives.

Treat everyone with courtesy.

I think in concentric circles, so I’ll begin with family. Too many people give the gift of courtesy to complete strangers while treating their closest family members and friends with disrespect and outright hostility. Why would we be more polite to people we don’t know than to the people who love us? Treat your spouse with the kind of courtesy you would offer royalty. Do the same for the other members of your household. Start there. Tell them how much they mean to you and how deeply you love them. When you’re wrong, tell them you’re wrong, and ask their forgiveness. When they do something nice, thank them. And always add those all-important words, “I love you.”

Promote liberty everywhere.

Most people are bound up too tightly. You may be one of them. For whatever reason, you have restrained yourself. Scars from the past. Memories that are heartbreaking. Failures. A moral tumble. A series of foolish or sinful decisions. Brokenhearted disappointments. Fractured romances. You may have a prison sentence in your past. You may be going through the difficulty of mental illness. Past wounds can bind you and restrict your freedom to live as joyfully as Christ intends. Consequently, you might be restricting others because of your past struggles.

A great way to enjoy your own freedom is to be a person who sets other people free. Affirm others. Give others room to fail and the dignity of cleaning up their own messes. Release others from your expectations.

When I was in seminary, I took courses from many great teachers. One of them was Dr. Howard Hendricks. Every once in a while, he would write an affirming note at the top of my paper. One time he wrote, “This is great, Chuck. Someday you will write.” Years later, as I put together my first book, those words fueled my drive to get the manuscript done. Those words—“Someday you will write”—freed me to write.

Your words have the power to free people. Use them to promote liberty. Let grace awaken!

Do everything well.

By now, you might be yawning, perhaps expecting something unusually profound. This may sound elementary, but don’t overlook it!

Where do you work? Have you determined to do your job well? Believe it or not, doing your job with excellence can create a more effective impact for Christ than words alone. Undergird your spoken testimony of Christ’s gift of salvation with quality work. As Paul urged first-century believers, “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve” (Col. 3:23–24).