Eating Crumbs

 N.T.#369 "Eating Crumbs"

August 16, 2024

Mark 7-Part2

LET IT GLOW

Whenever we would eat a meal at our son's house, their little dog, Princess, would come beg us for scraps under the table. and of course, I always saved her some. she was such a sweet little dog. Today, we read about a woman who wanted just a crumb from Jesus. 

After the confrontation with the Pharisees, Jesus needed some away time. So He traveled int Tyre (106 miles from Jerusalem) and Sidon (130 miles from Jerusalem). This area was on the Mediterranean coast and northwest of Galilee. Jesus was deep in Gentile territory. He wanted time to rest from the pressure of the Jewish leaders and an opportunity to further prepare the disciples for His coming crucifixion and their ministry. This trip was not evangelistic. In fact, Jesus did not want anyone to know He was there. Well, so much for that.

A woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard Jesus was in the area, came into the house and fell at His feet. No problem for Jesus to cast out the demon, for He had done it before. Folks in that area had heard what miraculous works Jesus had done. She besought Him that He would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. (verse 26)

Besought means adk; beseech; pray. 

Just a simple request of the Savior. Others had been delivered before. 

But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.  (verse 27)

The little dogs that Jesus referred to was not many, vicious mongrels, but the dogs kept as pets, lap dogs. Jesus was testing the intent of the mother's desire and faith. His first responsibility was to preach the gospel to the children of Israel, calling the Jews "children." That was true, but didn't the Master have enough compassion to go around? Sure He did. Matthew said Jesus told her He was sent to "the lost sheep of the house of Israel." (Matthew 15:24)

The disciples had wanted to send her away, but she was desperate and asked Jesus to help (after she worshiped Him).(Matt. 15:25) Jesus wasn't angry at the mother but was trying to teach His disciples a lesson. 

Do we spend time worshiping Jesus before we make requests? 

LET IT GROW 

Matthew says her reply was, "Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. (Matt. 15:27)

This mother knew what could be hers, even as a Gentile. She became an illustration of millions of Gentiles who would later be blessed by the Messiah of Israel. (Falwell)

This woman knew she was sinful and undeserving of any of God's blessings. Her response was with complete absence of pride and self-reliance. (MacArthur)

Didn't the woman just want some miracle leftover to heal her daughter? She wasn't asking Him to travel to her house and lay hands on the little girl.

What was Jesus' response? O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt.  (Matt. 15:28) Her daughter was made whole from that very hour and her faith is recorded in the Holy Bible.

The Jewish religious leaders were seeking to kill Jesus, but this poor Gentile woman had more faith than all of them put together. And Jesus rewarded it. Faith is the qualification for experiencing the kingdom of God. (Evans)

Having faith is coming to our God, believing that He is who He says He is, and believing that He will do what He says He will do. It's trusting Him completely. The woman had persistence, humility, focus, and confidence.

Would Jesus assess our faith as great?

LET IT GO

We are but Gentiles, yet You died for us and love us, Lord Jesus.

Oh, what a Savior! Isn't He wonderful!