Crumbs off the Table

Every pet-loving family knows the treasure our pets become to us, here in this world. They would also know the pressure of showing love, while enforcing discipline that would encourage the dog or cat to enjoy a safe and healthy life among humans. No doubt, you might know the pressure of feeding the pet from the table, not while people eat, so to avoid a “Bethoven-like” response from the pet. We may feed the pet after the meal, once everyone is done, and the meal has been consumed. They are loved, but they are not the priority when dining with the family and with guests.

Do we understand the lovingkindness of a God who does things in order to magnify His name?

I. The gentiles see what the Jewish Leaders Miss. (v. 24)

Zechariah 9:1–4 LSB

1 The oracle of the word of Yahweh is against the land of Hadrach, with Damascus as its resting place (for the eyes of men, especially of all the tribes of Israel, are toward Yahweh), 2 And Hamath also, which borders on it; And Tyre and Sidon, because they are very wise. 3 So Tyre built herself a tight fortification And tied up silver like dust And fine gold like the mire of the streets. 4 Behold, the Lord will dispossess her And strike her wealth down into the sea; And she will be consumed with fire.

Jesus travels roughly 40 miles to modern-day Lebanon to rest a while after dealing with the last scene of the Pharisees and the Scribes.

The text highlights the notoriety of Jesus and his ministry inside and beyond the lands of Judea, Samaria, even to the lands of the gentiles.

Here we see that there are people outside of Israel who are attentive to the work of God among the nations.

Hosea 4:6 LSB

6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from ministering as My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I Myself also will forget your children.

II. The gentile who seeks in humility. (v. 25-26)

The text introduces a woman who is from the region of Syria, of greek descent. This is important because a gentile is now desperately seeking reprieve for her daughter, who is demons possessed.

Two details must be pointed out to appreciate the weightiness of the event in the text are first, this gentile woman is seeking Jesus with great intentionality; second, she genuflects before Jesus. This is more than mere morbid spectacle, it is a sincere act of worship.

God has led the Prophets of the Old Testament to deal with individuals from this region, as the people of Tyre and Sidon are both bitter enemies of the Jewish people, even to the point of bitter rivalry.

1 Kings 17:9 LSB

9 “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and remain there; behold, I have commanded a widow there to sustain you.”

God keeps true to His word and character:

Psalm 146:9 LSB

9 Yahweh keeps the sojourners; He helps up the orphan and the widow, But He bends the way of the wicked.

III. Faith is displayed by appreciating God’s redeeming plan. (v. 27-28)

At first reading, the engagement between Jesus and the woman is less than affable, it may come across as pedantic and derogatory. We must remember that the sensibilities of 21st century culture have no place in the correct interpretation of this text.

The parable Jesus uses to give a word to the woman after she entreats him, is one that highlights the priority of relationships in regards to the Gospel message, not the priority of perceived value or humanity.

Isaiah 2:2–4 LSB

2 Now it will be that In the last days The mountain of the house of Yahweh Will be established as the head of the mountains, And will be lifted up above the hills; And all the nations will stream to it. 3 And many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of Yahweh, To the house of the God of Jacob, That He may instruct us from His ways And that we may walk in His paths.” For from Zion the law will go forth And the word of Yahweh from Jerusalem. 4 And He will judge between the nations, And will render decisions for many peoples; And they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, And never again will they learn war.

In the quick-witted reply by this woman we are able to see the work of the Holy Spirit, lifting the vail of ignorance as regeneration takes hold of an individual. The work of the Holy Spirit makes it possible for the woman to retort not with indignation, or with disdain, as to ask, “How Dare You, Jesus?” Rather, the woman humbles herself understanding that the priority of the Gospel, at this point in Jesus’ ministry was first and foremost to the house of Israel..

Ephesians 2:14 LSB

14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups one and broke down the dividing wall of the partition

IV. A need and a promise met. (v. 29-30)

Jesus acknowledges the work of saving faith as one that leads to sure conviction and unwavering trust in God’s plan, work, and finished redemption. Jesus not only validates the woman, but delivers her daughter who is a distance away. This appears to be a signal regarding his work among the gentiles—It is here, but not quite yet at its fullest extent.

The living faith of the woman is not passive, so as to doubt Jesus’ command regarding the unclean spirit, or demon, The woman goes back to find that her daughter is no loner tormented, but is whole under the lovingkindness of God.

Jesus, having given the audience and readers a glimpse of what is coming, shows the amazing grace and unfathomable riches of his mercy as he shows that all people are welcome to the house of Abraham, as fellow heirs of his promised peace and blessing.

Genesis 22:18 LSB

18 “In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have listened to My voice.”

Romans 11:17–18 LSB

17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became a partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, 18 do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast against them, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you.

Mark’s pressing point: Who is this Jesus of Nazareth?

We are getting closer and closer to the climax of Mark’s Gospel.