EVEN ME?
Jesus deals with what destroys Mark 7:24-30
And from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house and did not want anyone to know, yet he could not be hidden. But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. And he said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.” But she answered him, “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs.” And he said to her, “For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter.” And she went home and found the child lying in bed and the demon gone. (Mar 7:24-30)
Human psychology is complex.
But we know our past impacts our present
Sometimes without us even realising it!
Worse it impacts how we feel about and see ourselves, how we feel others see us and how we think God feels about us.
Shame!
We see this in todays story
1. Jesus names how the woman feels about herself
A dog!
“Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.”
Harsh or healing?
Our first step to dealing with our story – is to see it for what it is.
2. Jesus names how others see her
A worthless dog!
Do we have a responsibility to call out destructive attitudes?
What is our responsibility as people who follow Jesus the prince of peace,
in a society that does not reflect God's heart?
Jesus names the discrimination and bigotry - perhpas we should too?
3. Jesus Names the reality that God does not discriminate.
This story is at a significant point in Jesus’ ministry.
The transition from being "only for the Jews" - to bringing good news for all.
“a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Rev 7:9-10
Do we still tend to be partisan?
There can be no such thing as a “Christian country”.
Baptists!
Follow Jesus and invite others to do the same, who said...
“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. (Mat 5:43-45)
1. Jesus names the reality that I am deeply loved by God
God does not discriminate.
In God’s eyes – you are highly valued and deeply loved
Agnes!
God delights in you and wants you to know that you are precious and made in the image of God
Allow Jesus to come to you today and say:
“You are my child, I love you.
Trust me and know that I cherish you deeply and love you lavishly.
Just come.
