The Syrophoenician
Woman: A Woman of Great Faith
“And from thence he
arose, and went away into the borders of Tyre and Sidon” (Mark 7:24a). Matthew
wrote that Jesus “withdrew” (15:21). This was the third time in which Jesus
withdrew from Galilee in the gospel of Mark.
The Lord sought solitude with his disciples, but the text says,
“And he entered into a house, and would have no man
know it; and he could not be hid” (7:24b).
He had not gone into Gentile territory to embark
on a healing ministry, but his fame had reached beyond the borders of Galilee.
During this retreat
into a largely Gentile region, a woman approached Jesus for help. Mark
introduced the account with a strong adversative conjunction, “but,” (Grk.
alla), recording the fact that in contrast to the need for seclusion, a notable
scene developed.
Mark 7:25 reveals that
when this woman heard that Jesus was in the area, she came immediately and fell
down at his feet. The aorist participles indicate that she fell down at his
feet when she heard and when she came. Thus,
the writer expressed the urgency in this mother’s heart as she unabashedly
pursued Jesus — immediately.
Mark explained that
she was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by race (7:26). She was a Greek speaking lady
who was a Gentile. She kept on asking (Grk. imperfect tense) him to cast forth
the demon out of her daughter. Matthew related that her request was formed in
this way: “Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is
grievously vexed with a demon. But he answered her not a word” (Matthew
15:22-23). So intrusive was this woman that the disciples encouraged Jesus to
send her away.
Jesus replied by
saying, “I was not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel”
(Matthew 15:24). “But she came and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me” (v.
25).
“And he said to her,
Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s
bread and cast it to the dogs” (Mark 7:27). Jesus used the diminutive form of
the term “dogs” (i.e., the little dogs). D. Edmond Hiebert observed, “Jesus
softened the force of the expression with His use of the diminutive, ‘little
dogs’. . . Clearly His reference is to the little household pets, which, while
not children in the house, yet had a place in the affairs of the household.”
The woman followed the
Lord’s parable, acknowledging the distinction implied by his words. Perhaps she
saw a glimmer of hope in the word “first,” for Jesus implicitly revealed that
while there was a redemptive priority for the Jews, the blessings of heaven did
not exclusively belong to them.
With remarkable
insight and persistence, she replied, “Yea, Lord; even the dogs under the table
eat of the children’s crumbs” (Mark. 7:28). Jesus responded, “For this saying
go thy way; the demon is gone out of thy daughter” (v. 29).
“This saying,” (i.e.,
her reply to Jesus) evidenced great faith on her part. Matthew records the
assessment of our Lord: “O woman, great is thy faith” (15:28). Because of her
faith, expressed in her thoughtful exchange with Jesus, the Lord granted her
request for a miracle. The verb “is gone out,” is in the perfect tense,
reflecting the Lord’s control and power. The demon left while they spoke and would remain out.
Consider the following
observations about this woman of great faith.
This lady had great spiritual insight. She was not asking the Lord to alter the way he was implementing
the plan of God, which would later be carried out by the apostles to the Jew
first and also to the Greek. She was simply asking for a “crumb.” Faith is
based upon understanding the will of God. It is founded upon knowledge — not
mere emotion.
This mother illustrated the connection between faith and
unfavorable circumstances. Great faith will rely
upon the Son of God. Faith becomes stronger in times of distress for those who
tenaciously depend on God (James 1:2-4).
This woman demonstrated that great faith seeks the welfare of
others. Those who trust in God
will intercede for others. How much more ought we to be concerned about the spiritual welfare of those we love?
The Gentile lady showed the relationship of faith and humility. Her humble disposition complimented her genuine faith. Great
faith is seeing one’s complete dependence upon God.
The Syrophoenician woman taught us that great faith endures. She was steadfast and resilient in her request of the Lord.
Reminiscent of the woman who pursued the unjust judge, she reminds us to always
pray and never give up (Luke 18:1).
The distressed mother exemplified that great faith in the Son of
God will result in a great deliverance. Although miraculous healings were confined to the first century
during the infancy of Christianity (John 20:30-31; see What Does the Bible Say About Miracles?), today
everyone who will follow the Lord with obedient faith can be delivered from
that which plagues all morally accountable people — sin.
What a relevant
message. We need to cultivate great faith so that we may obtain the greater
deliverance through the Great Physician — the salvation of our souls.
Be Blessed and be a Blessing!
(www.christiancourier.com - JASON
JACKSON)
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