Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 247

September 3;   Mark 7:29;   35/260(II);   ‘Faith That Impresses’

Mark 7:29 Jesus was impressed. "You're right! On your way! Your daughter is no longer disturbed. The demonic affliction is gone."   Message Bible

The ministry of the Lord Jesus became so popular, that He could not go anywhere without attracting a multitude of people.  Jesus came to the region of Tyre and Sidon, going into a house, not wanting anyone to know He was there.  But, because of His incredible ministry and the fact that He was the Healer and the Teacher, His whereabouts was never unknown.  A Greek woman, Syro-Phoenician by birth had a daughter with and unclean spirit.  The daughter needed help.  This woman had heard about Jesus, obviously that He healed and she was determined to go to Jesus and plead with Him to heal her daughter.  Evidently she came into the house, fell at the feet of Jesus and kept asking Jesus to cast the demon out of her daughter.  Jesus’ ministry was primarily to the Jews and this lady and her daughter were Gentiles.  Jesus told her that the children’s bread (healing) was for the Jews and it was not good to take what belonged to the Jews and throw it to the ‘little dogs.’  It seemed like our Lord insulted her.  Could that be, that the Author of love would be cruel to this mother of a child in need?  That would never be in character with Jesus.  Jesus, by the Holy Spirit’s leading, must have desired to know the determination (faith) of this woman to have her daughter healed.  She replied, without being offended, and without hesitation, that the little dogs eat the crumbs of the children that fall under the table.   The faith of this dear woman and her ‘never quit’ attitude impressed Jesus.  Jesus was looking for a response like this, and with a word, cast that demon out of that precious little girl.