FAITH

FAITH

“ Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre. He didn’t want anyone to know which house he was staying in, but he couldn’t keep it a secret. Right away a woman who had heard about him came and fell at his feet. Her little girl was possessed by an evil spirit, and she begged him to cast out the demon from her daughter. Since she was a Gentile, born in Syrian Phoenicia, Jesus told her, “First I should feed the children—my own family, the Jews. It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.” She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even the dogs under the table are allowed to eat the scraps from the children’s plates.” “Good answer!” he said. “Now go home, for the demon has left your daughter.” And when she arrived home, she found her little girl lying quietly in bed, and the demon was gone.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭7:24-30‬ ‭NLT‬‬

http://bible.com/116/mrk.7.24-30.nlt

This is the first time that Jesus outwardly recognized the faith of a person who was not a Jew. In fact, Jesus had gone to Tyre to get away and rest for awhile.

Tyre was actually home to a population that was hated by the Jews (and the population of Tyre generally hated the Jews also.) Jesus withdrew to Tyre to get away from the crowds. He probably figured that no one would have heard of Him yet in Tyre.

However, even in Gentile territory, there was a lady who knew who Jesus was, who had heard of Him and trusted that Jesus could heal her daughter. When Jesus said, “It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to the dogs;” he was challenging the woman to a game of wit. The term “dog” was actually used as a derogatory term which the Israelites used to describe the people of Tyre. But the word Jesus used here is actually a word for a small dog, a puppy. Jesus was saying to the woman, “I shouldn't heal you, I was sent first to help and guide the Jewish people. I cannot give my healings to people associated with enemies of the Jews.” This is what Jesus most likely meant when he said, “First let the children (referring to his Jewish people) eat all they want....for it isn't right to take the children's bread and feed it to the puppies (a puppy here is likely referring to someone born to the hated enemy, the dog.)

Gentiles, the enemy of the Jews, she recognized somehow in her spirit that Jesus was Lord. She called Jesus, “Lord;” and next she said, “even the little dogs get to eat the crumbs that fall off the children's table.” This lady meant, “Even just a crumb from you will be enough.”  When she said to Jesus, “even the dogs eat crumbs from the children's table;” she was, in effect saying, “We also need you.  We see that Jesus will respond to those who approach Him with faith.

What are some areas of your life where you need “just a bit of Jesus” to help you? Do some of those areas seem “too small” to ask Jesus to intercede? Or do you feel unworthy to ask Jesus for help in certain areas?

Perhaps if you aren't confident enough to pray for Christ's assistance in “small areas” of your life, maybe you will be confident to ask Jesus merely to send you some “crumbs” of his glory to help you in that area. Crumbs from the table of Christ are enough! You will want more, but one crumb from Jesus's powerful and holy glory is all it takes to transform you and the area of your life. It doesn't matter if you have been seen or been associated as an enemy of God's people in the past. Even the enemies of God will get glimpses of who Jesus is, and many will recognize their need for Him. And when they approach Jesus in prayer, and ask even just for “crumbs” with faith; Jesus will fully heal them spiritually as well. How will you pray to Jesus for His help in areas where you lack confidence that he cares or in areas you feel unworthy to request His helping hand?  #How Do I See God Working Today

Remember God loves you and so do I.