Broader Horizons – Br. David Allen
Mk. 7:24-30
(Also cf. Mt. 15:21-28)s
Today’s Gospel reading is the story of Jesus and a woman whose little daughter was afflicted with an unclean spirit. The woman was a Gentile of Syrophoenician origin. This story occurs in only two of the Gospels, the Gospel According to Mark, which we heard this morning, and that of Matthew.
I have been praying with these two versions of that story for several weeks, since I was asked to preach on this lesson.
There are several small differences between the two versions; differences in how those who recorded this event saw it. I think that these differences are of far less importance than the final result.
In both versions we are told that Jesus and his disciples had gone away to the seacoast in the district of Tyre and Sidon on the Mediterranean Sea, northwest of Galilee. Mark’s Gospel tells us that the first thing that Jesus did was to enter a house because he did not want anyone to know he was there. It looks to me like they had gone there for peace and quiet after a busy time of teaching.
During my lifetime I have lived in small towns and country places, as well as here in the city. I can understand how word that Jesus had come there must have spread quickly in that quiet seaside area. It is not surprising that the woman with a sick child would have learned soon that Jesus was staying there.
The significant point of the story came when Jesus told the woman, “Let the children be fed first.” (v. 27) She persisted in asking him to heal her child. She responded to his reluctance with wit and humor, saying, “But Sir, the little dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” (v.28) Jesus was convinced of her faith by this, and acceded to her need; and healed the child!
I have a strong feeling that it was from this occasion that Jesus broadened his horizons beyond the needs of the lost sheep of Israel (cf. Mt. 15:24) to include the Gentile world as well.
Can you see how Jesus recognized in that woman’s persistence a lesson in looking beyond the agenda he had brought with him? Isn’t this a lesson for us, also? Don’t we all need to look toward broader horizons? Don’t we also need a deeper understanding of persistence in prayer?
This is what I think we can learn from the story of the Syrophoenician Woman and her little daughter!
Br. David, I appreciate this lesson. if we are to be faithful members of The Way, as early Christians were called, we need to stick with it, even when healing takes time. In continuing to pray for healing, we are pleading to Jesus, saying, “I know that you, Lord, can heal this child. You have the power to do so.” Therefore we are being witnesses to our faith in Jesus. And we know that Jesus will act with mercy and compassion, because He loves us all. He gave His very life for us all. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16
Love this word of encouragement. When circumstances are between a rock and a hard place God is there. Love waking up daily to these devotionals and comments they are Spirit filled
Thank you Br David for your sermon. Where better to have your horizons broadened than standing on the shore looking out to sea. In my imagination I sense that it wasn’t just his encounter with the Syro-Phoenician woman that broadened Jesus’ horizons but the location was a great visual aid as well and would have served to strengthen this new realisation that had come to him.
Br. David, thanks for this good lesson. How it does, indeed, speak to us today. I am guilty of giving up in prayers, when the answer seems not to be coming rather quickly. Persistence, perseverance, hanging in there, believing there is answer, are taught to us in this gospel message. Also, the fact that ALL are eligible for His love and acceptance teaches us to know inclusiveness of all whom He has made. God bless you.