Jesus left that place and went into the region of Tyre. He didn’t want anyone to know that he had entered a house, but he couldn’t hide. In fact, a woman whose young daughter was possessed by an unclean spirit heard about him right away. She came and fell at his feet. The woman was Greek, Syrophoenician by birth. She begged Jesus to throw the demon out of her daughter. He responded, “The children have to be fed first. It isn’t right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” But she answered, “Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” “Good answer!” he said. “Go on home. The demon has already left your daughter.” When she returned to her house, she found the child lying on the bed and the demon gone.
After leaving the region of Tyre, Jesus went through Sidon toward the Galilee Sea through the region of the Ten Cities. Some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly speak, and they begged him to place his hand on the man for healing. Jesus took him away from the crowd by himself and put his fingers in the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. Looking into heaven, Jesus sighed deeply and said, “Ephphatha,” which means, “Open up.” At once, his ears opened, his twisted tongue was released, and he began to speak clearly. Jesus gave the people strict orders not to tell anyone. But the more he tried to silence them, the more eagerly they shared the news. People were overcome with wonder, saying, “He does everything well! He even makes the deaf to hear and gives speech to those who can’t speak.” (Mark 7:24-37, CEB)
Here is the same story from yesterday that we read in Matthew (Matthew 15:21-31) only now we get it in Mark. And here we get a second healing where in the story from Matthew Jesus goes about healing.
In both of these versions, the woman is unnamed and the daughter is unnamed. Also in Mark, the group that is seeking healing of the deaf man is unnamed, they are referred to as they, and the deaf man is also unnamed. The one being healed is not asking for the healing but someone else who cares for them is asking.
There is also another pointed difference in the Matthew and Mark story. In Matthew Jesus says, “You have great faith.” And that is why her daughter is healed. But here in Mark, the daughter is healed because the woman spoke up for herself and for her daughter. It is like she said, “Hey just a minute. Your God created me too, and I deserve whatever you think your people deserve. I am no different.”
How do we keep people who are God’s children from being a part?
And this text troubles me, just like the Matthew one. Jesus is just human, way too human here. And I wonder why this is included in the Bible, not once, but twice. It shows us that everyone is included. Period.
Cultural boundaries or learning mean nothing in the kindom of God.
Love like Jesus. Just don’t talk like him here.
Loving People. Loving God.
aSacredRebel 