Tuesday March 24, 2009

Tuesday

March 24, 2009

Scripture

Mark 7:24-30 (New International Version)

The Faith of a Syrophoenician Woman
24Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre.[a] He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. 25In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an evil[b] spirit came and fell at his feet. 26The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.

27"First let the children eat all they want," he told her, "for it is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."

28"Yes, Lord," she replied, "but even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs."

29Then he told her, "For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter."

30She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

Reflection

This is a passage that makes people uncomfortable. It doesn't fit clearly into our "high and mighty" image of Jesus, wearing a stark white robe and surrounded by a golden glow. It shows the real Jesus, a Jesus who got tired, frustrated, and even had misunderstandings just like we do.
The Syrophoenician woman was a Gentile, a non-Jew, and she was repeatedly told that Jesus's message was not for her. Regardless of what everyone said (even what JESUS said, in this passage), the woman knew in her heart that God had sent Jesus for her too. The passage says Jesus was hiding in a house, but the woman found him. Imagine the obstacles she must have come through before she was could reach Jesus to "beg" him to heal her child. Imagine her strength. There may have been crowds or even disciples trying to keep this woman from bothering Jesus, but she knew the truth. She had faith that Jesus could and would heal her daughter, and she was not going to take no for an answer. Jesus realizes her faith, and through this strong woman, he sees that his salvation is for ALL people, not just the Jews. God worked through this Gentile woman.
Imagine if we had the faith and the strength of this Syrophoenician woman. Imagine if we would include those people the church has deemed "dogs," the people for whom the church exists. As you go through the day, be inspired by the faith of the Syrophoenician woman and do not be afraid to challenge the "status quo" to fulfill what you know is God's will for the world.

Written by a PC Sophomore

Please pray for:

Radio Station and Newspaper staffs