The Little Dog’s Faith

(Mark 7:24-30)

Mari Ikeda

A. Cold Jesus (24-27)

24 Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. 25 In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an impure spirit came and fell at his feet. 26 The 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 the dogs.”

1. God’s Plan that chose the Jews first

2. Jesus’ sorrow

24 Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret.

B. The woman who still trusted Jesus (28-30)

28 “Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” 29 Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.” 30 She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

1.“Indeed I don’t deserve your care, but I need you.”

2. Jesus’ heart is moved

Summary

When Jesus physically lived with his body in this world, He sometimes got discouraged and despaired just as we do. We know through His Cross and resurrection that He never becomes cold to us like He did to the woman in this story. However, to live our life by trusting in Jesus means to trust Him even when He doesn’t seem to answer to our cry. In such time, we need to learn from this woman and keep trusting in the abundance of God’s love while admitting our smallness.

For Discussion

1) Why was Jesus cold to this woman?
2) What can we learn from this woman?