Day 23: Jesus lets a Gentile woman join the family
Yesterday, we saw Jesus debating with some of the Jewish leaders. He called them hypocrites and went on to break down a major Jew/Gentile divide by saying that all foods were clean and that uncleanness comes from our hearts, not from what we eat. Today, we’ll see Jesus going to a Gentile region and having a different kind of debate with a Gentile woman, which shows that Gentiles can join God’s family as well.
In verse 24, where did Jesus go to?
Tyre and Sidon were in a region named Phoenicia. It was a Gentile area where not many Jews would have lived, and Tyre and Sidon were known for idolatry and sin. So, it’s interesting that Jesus goes there after fighting with the Jewish leaders!
In verse 24, what did Jesus do when He got to this area, and what did He want?
In verse 25, a woman heard that Jesus was in town and came to Him. What was her problem?
What did the woman do in verse 25?
How does Mark describe this woman in verse 26?
Mark’s description of the woman emphasizes her non-Jewishness.
What does the woman beg Jesus to do in verse 26?
How does Jesus respond in verse 27?
Jesus’ words sound shocking to us. But His Jewish disciples would have nodded along. In the Old Testament, God often referred to the Israelites as His children, and Jewish people of Jesus’ day would sometimes have called Gentiles “dogs.”
How might we expect the woman to feel when Jesus uses the word “dog” to describe her as a Gentile?
We might have replied, “How dare you call me a dog!” But how does the woman respond (v. 28)?
What does Jesus say when this woman shows her humble faith in Him (v. 29)?
When Matthew tells this same story, he includes Jesus saying, “Woman, you have great faith!” because Jesus is so impressed with her.
How does yesterday’s passage in which Jesus broke down a big Jew/Gentile divide help us understand today’s passage?
Where in Mark’s gospel have we seen Jewish people (the children) eating all they want from Jesus?
What can we learn from this Gentile woman about the need to give up all our pride when we come to Jesus?
What can we learn from this Gentile woman about bringing our greatest need to Jesus?
Ask God to give you humble faith in Jesus, like the Gentile woman in this story.