Did Jesus really say that!?
Reading for Monday, March 27.
Bible section: Gospel of Mark 7:24-37
If the gospels were a fictitious writing by a group of heretics this story would not be included, because it seems to show Jesus in a bad light. Commentators write several explanations of the strange words spoken by Jesus, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and give it to dogs.” Their explanations are plausible and partly convincing. However the attitude of the commentators amuses me. They seem worried about Jesus’ reputation; they even seem a little apologetic (for Jesus!) This thing still happens; only let a public speaker quote some passages from the prophets that frighten people and all the people listening hasten to assure each other that God couldn’t really mean what the Bible says. My Father, a strong Edwardian man who never cried broke down in a public service and sobbed under the conviction of sin (He was a very moral respectable person) People reached over to touch him on the shoulder and the preacher thundered out, “Don’t comfort that man, let him see his need of God.” We couldn’t get away with it today; half a dozen people would hug the convicted person and tell him he was a wonderful human being,
Jesus chose to make a remark that would drive a lesser woman away in offence. The lesson that I love is that a truly strong person does not give up and run away when words offend, neither does a truly strong person get angry and start being abusive. This woman shines. I prefer to believe that Jesus chose to draw out her strong character not to offend but to demonstrate her perseverance. This woman refused to take offence; if people copied her, a lot of family quarrels would never happen.
Women were despised at the time this story was told, and this person was a woman. Nations hated other nations, and this woman was a different nationality to Jesus. At that time a sick child was considered to be a punishment for some sin the parent had committed* This woman had everything going against her. Furthermore it seems Jesus was seeking a time of rest when he went to stay in a house in Syria, away from Judean border, a miracle would collect a crowd and he would have to teach people who perhaps were not ready to understand. .
This woman persists. Jesus told several other stories about the value of persistence in prayer, so I am sure he appreciated her persistence. He gives this woman what the Americans would call, ‘a hard time.’ He points out that he is a Jew healing Jews and says that it isn’t right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs. Shocking isn’t it? That’s what I mean by saying that if the gospels were fiction this story wouldn’t be in there.
The woman doesn’t miss a beat; she continues the verbal fencing with the remark that dogs eat the crumbs the children drop. And Jesus concedes defeat. Yes I mean it. He says she has won the argument. She dared to argue with the miracle working teacher and he didn’t try to overcome her or subdue her, he acknowledges the skill of her argument. And heals her daughter.
People who are despised, people who are the wrong nationality, people who seem to be at fault; they are all made welcome by this story. Men who would never loose face to a woman, people who can’t bear to loose an argument, folks who love to walk away in anger and nurse resentment, they are all made humble by this story. I love it, offence and all.
The woman went home and the demon was gone. This brings to my mind the startling silence in the European skies after the Second World War ended. The destruction that threatened us night after night was gone – people looked out of lighted windows and stared at the sky in wonder. The demon of war was gone.
God also, wants the demons gone. Demons such as unbridled power, lying civil officials, silly governors and inhumane punishment. Such great hopes require perseverance.
God enjoys people who persevere with him, who break down perceived barriers, and overcome hindrances. He casts out our personal demons, and instructs us to heal the society around us, but it requires perseverance in prayer.
The demon left. Imagine the mother going home to a place where her little tormented daughter lies peacefully quiet. Imagine our world when war ends and we live together in peace. All over the world, all people who trust God are praying for just that. It requires perseverance, but we have this lovely shining story of the woman who didn’t let anything deter her and persevered till Jesus conceded and granted her request. All we who persevere in prayer for the healing of our world are united in our service to God and humanity; more than we think.
*John 9.2
Bible section: Gospel of Mark 7:24-37
If the gospels were a fictitious writing by a group of heretics this story would not be included, because it seems to show Jesus in a bad light. Commentators write several explanations of the strange words spoken by Jesus, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and give it to dogs.” Their explanations are plausible and partly convincing. However the attitude of the commentators amuses me. They seem worried about Jesus’ reputation; they even seem a little apologetic (for Jesus!) This thing still happens; only let a public speaker quote some passages from the prophets that frighten people and all the people listening hasten to assure each other that God couldn’t really mean what the Bible says. My Father, a strong Edwardian man who never cried broke down in a public service and sobbed under the conviction of sin (He was a very moral respectable person) People reached over to touch him on the shoulder and the preacher thundered out, “Don’t comfort that man, let him see his need of God.” We couldn’t get away with it today; half a dozen people would hug the convicted person and tell him he was a wonderful human being,
Jesus chose to make a remark that would drive a lesser woman away in offence. The lesson that I love is that a truly strong person does not give up and run away when words offend, neither does a truly strong person get angry and start being abusive. This woman shines. I prefer to believe that Jesus chose to draw out her strong character not to offend but to demonstrate her perseverance. This woman refused to take offence; if people copied her, a lot of family quarrels would never happen.
Women were despised at the time this story was told, and this person was a woman. Nations hated other nations, and this woman was a different nationality to Jesus. At that time a sick child was considered to be a punishment for some sin the parent had committed* This woman had everything going against her. Furthermore it seems Jesus was seeking a time of rest when he went to stay in a house in Syria, away from Judean border, a miracle would collect a crowd and he would have to teach people who perhaps were not ready to understand. .
This woman persists. Jesus told several other stories about the value of persistence in prayer, so I am sure he appreciated her persistence. He gives this woman what the Americans would call, ‘a hard time.’ He points out that he is a Jew healing Jews and says that it isn’t right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs. Shocking isn’t it? That’s what I mean by saying that if the gospels were fiction this story wouldn’t be in there.
The woman doesn’t miss a beat; she continues the verbal fencing with the remark that dogs eat the crumbs the children drop. And Jesus concedes defeat. Yes I mean it. He says she has won the argument. She dared to argue with the miracle working teacher and he didn’t try to overcome her or subdue her, he acknowledges the skill of her argument. And heals her daughter.
People who are despised, people who are the wrong nationality, people who seem to be at fault; they are all made welcome by this story. Men who would never loose face to a woman, people who can’t bear to loose an argument, folks who love to walk away in anger and nurse resentment, they are all made humble by this story. I love it, offence and all.
The woman went home and the demon was gone. This brings to my mind the startling silence in the European skies after the Second World War ended. The destruction that threatened us night after night was gone – people looked out of lighted windows and stared at the sky in wonder. The demon of war was gone.
God also, wants the demons gone. Demons such as unbridled power, lying civil officials, silly governors and inhumane punishment. Such great hopes require perseverance.
God enjoys people who persevere with him, who break down perceived barriers, and overcome hindrances. He casts out our personal demons, and instructs us to heal the society around us, but it requires perseverance in prayer.
The demon left. Imagine the mother going home to a place where her little tormented daughter lies peacefully quiet. Imagine our world when war ends and we live together in peace. All over the world, all people who trust God are praying for just that. It requires perseverance, but we have this lovely shining story of the woman who didn’t let anything deter her and persevered till Jesus conceded and granted her request. All we who persevere in prayer for the healing of our world are united in our service to God and humanity; more than we think.
*John 9.2
posted by Jessie Coates at 5:49 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home