Mark 7:24-37
In this week’s reading of the Gospel of Mark, Mark 7:24-37 contains two distinct episodes from the ministry of Jesus: the healing of the Syrophoenician woman's daughter and the healing of a deaf and mute man. Here are the key points for each section:
The Syrophoenician Woman's Faith (Mark 7:24-30)
Location: Jesus travels to the region of Tyre, seeking some privacy, but His presence becomes known.
The Woman's Plea: A Gentile woman, specifically a Syrophoenician, approaches Jesus, begging Him to cast a demon out of her daughter.
Initial Response: Jesus responds with a statement that seems to prioritize His mission to the Jews: “Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”
The Woman's Reply: The woman humbly and wisely responds, “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”
Jesus' Reaction: Impressed by her faith and humility, Jesus grants her request, saying the demon has left her daughter.
Outcome: The woman returns home to find her daughter healed and the demon gone.
The Healing of a Deaf and Mute Man (Mark 7:31-37)
Location: Jesus moves from Tyre, through Sidon, to the Sea of Galilee, into the region of the Decapolis.
The Request: People bring a man who is deaf and has a speech impediment, begging Jesus to lay His hand on him.
Jesus' Actions: Jesus takes the man aside from the crowd, puts His fingers into the man's ears, spits, and touches the man's tongue.
The Healing Command: Looking up to heaven, Jesus sighs deeply and says, “Ephphatha,” which means “Be opened.”
Immediate Result: The man's ears are opened, his tongue is released, and he speaks plainly.
Jesus’ Instruction: Jesus orders the people not to tell anyone, but the more He insists, the more they spread the news.
Public Reaction: The crowd is astonished beyond measure, declaring, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”
Key Themes
Faith and Humility: The Syrophoenician woman's interaction with Jesus highlights the importance of faith and humility, showing that God's grace extends beyond ethnic boundaries.
Jesus’ Compassion and Power: Both miracles demonstrate Jesus' compassion for those in need and His divine power to heal and deliver.
Expansion of Ministry: The stories signify the widening scope of Jesus' ministry, indicating that His mission includes Gentiles as well as Jews.
Public Reaction and Messianic Secret: The crowd's reaction emphasizes Jesus' growing reputation as a miracle worker, while His request for silence (the “Messianic Secret”) reflects a theme in Mark where Jesus often seeks to manage the spread of His identity and mission.
In God’s grip,
Pastor Chuck Church
If you are reading the Gospel of Mark with Pastor Chuck this year, below is a short and simple guide to doing so for this week:
Prayer: Heavenly Father, your words expose my innermost thoughts and desires. I am an open book before you when I read your book. May your truths work as I read of your holiness, truth, and love. May the power of your word be known in my life so that I might genuinely have the abundant life you came to give. Amen.
Read: Mark 7:24-37
Questions to guide your thinking:
Faith and Humility (The Syrophoenician Woman)
Examination of Faith: How strong is my faith when I face obstacles or when it seems that God is silent? Do I persist in prayer and trust in His timing?
Humility and Approach: Do I approach God with humility, recognizing my own unworthiness, yet trusting in His mercy and grace?
Inclusiveness: How do I view people who are different from me in terms of race, ethnicity, or social status? Do I believe that God's love and grace are for everyone, regardless of their background?
Response to Jesus' Challenges: How do I respond when my faith is tested? Am I willing to engage in a genuine dialogue with God, even when His initial response is not what I hoped for?
Compassion and Healing (The Deaf and Mute Man)
Trust in Jesus' Methods: Am I open to the unique and sometimes unexpected ways that God works in my life? Do I trust His methods, even when they don't make sense to me?
Intercession for Others: How often do I bring others to Jesus in prayer? Do I have a compassionate heart that seeks healing and help for those who are suffering?
Obedience and Witnessing: When God works in my life, am I eager to share it with others, or do I sometimes keep it to myself? How do I balance the call to witness with the humility to avoid seeking attention for myself?
Astonishment at Jesus' Works: Do I maintain a sense of awe and wonder at the works of God in my life and the lives of others? How often do I take time to praise God for His goodness and power?
Broader Reflection
Recognizing Jesus' Authority: How do I recognize and respond to Jesus' authority in my life? Do I allow Him to lead and guide me in all areas?
Embracing Jesus' Mission: How do I align my life with Jesus' mission to reach out to all people, especially those who are marginalized or overlooked?
Learning from Others' Faith: What can I learn from the faith and persistence of others, like the Syrophoenician woman? How can their examples strengthen my own faith journey?
