There’s nothing like the love of a mother.
“There are cowards, there are regular people, there are heroes, and then there are parents. Parents are not really on the spectrum from cowardice to courage because if your child is in jeopardy, you simply do what it takes to save her.” –Tim Keller
Retreating from Palestine for the first and only time in his public ministry, Jesus tried to escape notice in Tyre, but he couldn’t. He was met by a desperate mom—a Syrophoenician mom—who cried out and continued crying out for help for her daughter who was demon possessed.
Here’s a portion of Mark’s account:
The woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth, and she was asking him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27 He said to her, “Let the children be fed first, because it isn’t right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 28 But she replied to him, “Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” 29 Then he told her, “Because of this reply, you may go. The demon has left your daughter.” – Mark 7:26-29
None of this is normal, but the result was extraordinary. A girl who had been tormented by a demon got set free through her mother’s faith in Jesus. That’s not something that happens every day, but maybe it could. Maybe it should.
What does it take to conquer the spiritual darkness and set our neighbors free? What does it take to overcome the oppression, the perversion, the desperation that binds our neighbors and crushes our communities?
Jesus shows us the way.
Everything Stacked Against Her
This woman was a Gentile, but not just any Gentile. She was among the enemies of the Jews—a Canaanite. Ethnically, religiously, and socially, she was an outcast. And she was a woman. She had everything stacked against her. But she kept yelling.
Jesus’ disciples wanted to send her away. Maybe they were trying to protect Jesus. But maybe they were trying to protect themselves. Maybe they just didn’t see her like Jesus saw her. I relate to the disciples. I get their dullness.
She was begging for Jesus to free her daughter from demons, but Jesus responded by asking her a question about taking bread intended for children and throwing it to dogs.
How odd! But as odd as this may sound to us, it was an amazing, textbook moment of cultural engagement.
An Odd, Textbook Example of Cultural Engagement
The children Jesus referred to were the Jews. The apostle Paul would later proclaim that the Gospel is for the “Jew first, and then the Greek” (Romans 1:16). God promised Abraham that blessing would come through his descendants to the nations—the Gentiles.
So, Jesus’ priority on the Jews was not intended to exclude the Gentiles, but to welcome them—to bring outsiders in. To remove every wall that is between us (Ephesians 2).
This is personal to me. I’m a Gentile. I’ve been grafted in by grace, brought near by the blood of Jesus. I was an outsider ethnically, religiously, and socially, but Jesus made a way and welcomed me in.
Back to our story, Jesus then compared this desperate woman to a dog. We wouldn’t think that’s a good move, but the English language fails us at this point. To be harsh, one would use the term for dog that means “ravenous or vicious” dog. But that’s not the word Jesus used. Instead, he used the word for “puppy or house dog.”
Just the Right Word
With one simple word, Jesus deescalated the moment and portrayed this woman in a new light. He gave her his full attention and softened his language, because just the right word at just the right time illuminates the glorious Gospel. In a moment, she knew she had found favor with Jesus.
Just the right word at just the right time illuminates the glorious Gospel.
She responded in kind, with gentleness, respect, and humility: “Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” As desperate as she was, Jesus’ kindness invited her to come closer, and her hope took root.
A parable of a puppy opened the door of faith and rescued a woman and her daughter, and changed their lives forever. It also taught Jesus’ disciples that He makes room for anyone who comes to him in faith. It was a lesson they would take with them to Pentecost and beyond.
We can’t follow Jesus around for too long and fail to notice that his intimacy with the Father always led him to invest more deeply in the vulnerable. Following Jesus moves us toward all kinds of people, removes barriers between us, and makes space for Jesus to heal.
Courageous Christianity?
It seems many Christians think courageous Christianity is shouting down or putting down sinners. Jesus showed us that courageous Christians actually wrap around sinners. Faithful Gospel witness still echoes Jesus’ invitation, “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy burdened , and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:18).
PICTURE OF THE WEEK
Roane County Pastors and Leaders Meeting
It doesn’t look like a dynamic action shot, but something special happens when pastors and leaders begin to talk. I had the privilege of spending time in Lincoln County and Roane County, Tennessee last week as we continue walking down our community transformation pathway.
EVERYONE’S WILSON
I’m the Executive Director of Everyone’s Wilson—a community transformation initiative. Our mission is to unite the Church to engage the community, so everyone thrives. Very simply, we’re passionate about helping Jesus-loving people live like missionaries in their local community through prayer, equipping, collaboration, and service.
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