June 17, 2021 -- Psalm 51:17 & Mark 7:24-30 -- A broken and contrite heart
/The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart you, O God, you will not despise.
Psalm 51:17 ESV
And from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house and did not want anyone to know, yet he could not be hidden. 25 But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell down at his feet. 26 Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27 And he said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.” 28 But she answered him, “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs.” 29 And he said to her, “For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter.” 30 And she went home and found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.
Mark 7:24-30 ESV
Wait, can Jesus speak to this woman like that? Isn’t He being offensive? The story of the Gospel is powerfully carried forward by such questions which believers use to examine Scripture in order to gain understanding.
Note where Jesus is—He is far outside of the territory that belonged to Israel. He is the Son of God, Who created all things and had been sent by the Father to claim all His people. Jesus is the descendant of Abraham—the Covenant Promise of Genesis 12 is that those who bless Abraham will themselves be blessed. Jesus is the Son of Promise, the descendant of Abraham through Whom all the nations will be blessed. In order to receive this blessing the people of the nations must acknowledge Him.
Now, back to the Syrophoenician woman. She was part of a proud people and territory. The city of Tyre was a rich trading port with a proud tradition, defiant. When she went to Jesus she believed He could heal her daughter. Jesus’ words to her were to evoke the sacrifice of a broken spirit and a contrite heart—a heart that relied on Him for salvation.
Jarring is the expression Jesus used speaking of taking the food of the household and giving it to the dogs of the house. Pet owners will immediately respond, but the dogs are part of the family. A dog allowed near the table where everyone eats is a dog that is loved and spoiled. What Jesus is noting that salvation comes from Jesus Himself, a Jew, and He is sent first to the Jewish people and then to the world. The fact that He speaks these words, outside of the historic lands of Israel, in the region of Tyre proves He is the Savior of the World.
She humbles herself, gladly, before Jesus. She gladly notes the mercy of God, shown in Jesus Christ is more than sufficient for the people of Israel and for the world. The footnote provided by the Reformation Study Bible I use adds this wonderful observation about the mercy of God to His covenant community which will “spill out to meet Gentiles’ needs as well—another anticipation of the church’s global mission following Jesus’ death, resurrection, ascension, and outpouring of the Spirit.” The promise of God was given to the Jewish people, through Abraham, all the other nations are Gentiles. All those who believe in Jesus Christ are a sign of the abundant mercy of God overflowing the table of the children and are more than sufficient for the salvation of all who humble themselves before Jesus, serving Him with all they are and all they have.
Faithful Savior, Jesus Christ, thank You for Your suffering, obedient love to the Father, by which all who believe in You are saved. Move us, by Your Spirit, to carry the Good News of Salvation far and wide. Give us, O Spirit, holy boldness to speak with co-workers and friends of the glorious mercy of Jesus Christ which overspills the table to the feeding of the people of the world. By our words and effervescent service to Jesus may many near and far be drawn to Your love, justice and faithfulness God our Father. Amen.
https://youtu.be/WGPM0nDEDfQ
