Day 20 : Mark 7:24-30
An awkward interaction
This woman isn’t Jewish – Tyre was a gentile area. She hears that Jesus is there and makes a desperate plea for this miracle man to help her daughter. Approaching a rabbi like Jesus as a gentile woman means she must be pretty desperate. If you know parents with a child in distress you will understand why she does it.
Jesus seems harsh. We know him for being compassionate so why call her a dog? Gentiles were often seen as unclean by the Jews at the time, which is why this word doesn’t shock the woman as much as we might presume. Jesus was tired and she comes uninvited. She could have been turned away but instead, Jesus talks with her.
Jesus is the Messiah that Israel has been waiting for. His teachings and miracles were a demonstration so the people of God would understand this. However, after his resurrection he told the disciples that the kingdom of God is for the whole world – Jewish and gentile.
The conversation he has with the woman is like he’s spelling this out early. He’s pointing out that he’s showing Israel the way (feeding the children) before the rest of the world hears it (feeding the dogs).
It’s still an awkward conversation to understand, but the woman felt she could approach, talk and argue her point with Jesus, this says a lot. Jesus explains his mission is to Israel first before the rest of the world. She cannot wait for this as her daughter is in need. In pointing out that even dogs get crumbs she impresses Jesus with her point and her daughter is healed. This woman knew she wasn’t good enough to demand something from Jesus, but she knew because of his goodness and kindness he would transform her situation.
