In Mark 7: 24-30, it tells the story of Jesus dealing with the Gentile woman. The woman "begged" Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter. In the old testament the Gentiles were said to be a "wealthy and godless oppressor of Israel". The Gentiles were also viewed as "unclean". So questions are proposed to if Jesus will help this woman or not. Through debate between her and Jesus, we find out that Jesus does remove the demon from the little girl. I think this story is amazing. Garland gives a great detail on the passage. He says that Jesus compares the women to a dog. The women seems to understand the mircales that Jesus can perform. She is okay with being compared to a dog. She isn't asking for alot, just that Jesus would show his power "for a little dog". She knows God is the bread of Life. She seems to understand that better than the disciples who watch Jesus feed the five and four thousand. She really just wants her child healed and will do whatever it takes for that to happen. She is showing how we should be humble. She is willing to humble herself, to being compared to a dog, just for Jesus to grant this small request. The woman also shows great Faith, by knowing after Jesus said you're daughter is healed, that her daughter really was healed. She didn't need Jesus to go to her house to prove to her, she had faith Jesus did what he said. I think we as christians should be humble like this woman and be willing to be compared to a dog, just so we can be granted a small request from a mighty and powerful God.
Adam Godwin
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That is such a neat story, if you only look at Mark you would think that she called hersef a dog, but in Matt. Jesus does refer to her as one first. To me that makes her humility greater because if someone wants something they will say almost anything to get it, wether they truly believe it. However, for a man to refer to me as a dog!! That would take great humility to take that comment and great faith and almost bravery to continue with the request.
I liked your comment about how this woman understands more than the disciples, because Mark puts this passage directly after one of their many misunderstangings. I agree that he was completly implying that. Funny that a Gentile Woman, could have a better grasp than the Jewish Men that lived w/ Jesus. Kinda like how we will go through years of edcuation (don't get me wrong it is imperative to study scripture)and many times a child will still have a better understanding. After all "anyone who does not recieve the Kingdom of God like a little child will not enter it."
Thanks Adam
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