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Mark 7
This passage raises some questions and wonderings in my mind. First of all, I am wondering about His visits to Tyre and the Decapolis. More specifically, I am wondering why this one Greek woman in Tyre was singled out. As I understand it, Tyre, Sidon, and the Decapolis were all primarily Greek, or Hellenistic, regions. However, given Jesus’ response to this Greek woman, I have to think there were many Hellenistic Jews in these areas. My guess, then, would be that Jesus went to these areas to seek out these lost Jews. So was this woman the only Greek Jesus healed? Or was this particular exchange mentioned simply to give us a deeper insight into God’s plan, Jesus’ mission, and our faith? After all, there are reasons the Jews came first, and this woman is a remarkable example of faith.
Along this same line of thought, after Jesus left Tyre, He traveled to the Decapolis, where He healed a deaf and mute man. Jesus had also previously healed a demon possessed man in this same area. Were both of these men Jews? If not, why did Jesus not respond to them as He did to the Greek woman? I don’t have answers to any of these questions. Whatever the case, though, I am grateful that God’s ultimate plan was for ALL of us, Jewish or not, to become His children. Though even crumbs from God’s table are far better than any feast this world has to offer, we know we get far more than crumbs. There is a place at God’s banquet table for all of us.
Jer. 37-38
What do you learn about Jeremiah’s character from this story? About King Zedekiah’s character? King Zedekiah is one of at least a few mentioned in the Bible who seem drawn to God’s truth but just can’t get past their pride to accept it. The Bible flat out states that Zedekiah paid no attention to anything God spoke through Jeremiah. Yet he continued to go to Jeremiah asking for prayer and a word from God. He also took several measures to protect and provide for Jeremiah. Why?
In my eyes, Jeremiah was quite patient with the king. He just kept repeating God’s truth and complying with what the king asked of him. It makes me wonder if God ever brought Zedekiah low enough for him to get over his pride and turn back to God. Whatever the case, I believe Jeremiah’s patient persistence is a good example for me to follow when faced with those curious but resistant types. As long as they are making even the pretense of seeking, I am to point them to Jesus.