Mark 7:24-30

Highlighting – “²⁷ “First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” ²⁸ “Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” ²⁹ Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.”

I love this passage. We see the blessing in having faith as well as humility. A Syrophoenician woman (a Gentile), approaches Jesus to ask Him to deliver her child from demon possession. Jesus says to her, let the “children eat all they want” meaning the Jews, as the Gospel of Jesus Christ and miracles / healings performed by Him were to be given to them before the Gentiles. Jesus goes so far as to say that it’s not right to give the children’s bread to dogs. He’s making a clear distinction between the Jews, who are God’s chosen people, and the Gentiles, who would later receive the opportunity to be added to the Kingdom of God. The woman’s response to Jesus was not frustration, disgust, offense, but humility. She let Jesus know that she recognizes she’s considered a “dog” because she’s not a Jew, but even dogs get to eat the crumbs from the food that fall from the children’s table. There are miracles that overflow, and she’s ready to receive the remnant. Even as small as a crumb, she knows will be all the miracle she needs to save her daughter. Jesus is pleased with the woman’s faith that He says to her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.” Her faith made her daughter well! Our faith is not only for the benefit of ourselves but also those connected to us. The words that we speak can either lead us to the miracle we’re seeking or lead to our detriment. What words are you speaking over your life today and are they faith-filled? All you need is faith the size of a mustard seed and you can move mountains (Matthew 17:20).

As this woman, when we make requests to God, we must humble ourselves. Every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord (Romans 14:11). If you don’t approach Him with the right heart, you will not see the miracles of God in your life. Consider the tax collector and the Pharisee who were in the temple praying, it was the one who humbled himself before God that was heard by Him (Luke 18:9-14). Time to self-check. Whether you keep a journal or mentally process things, ask yourself, did I honor God in my thoughts and conduct today, or did I not? The more we evaluate ourselves against the Word of God, the more we’ll grow to be like Him.

Dear Father, thank You for Your Word that continues to convict me of the things in my life that dishonor You. Please remove all pride, self-righteousness, and legalism in me that is not of Your Spirit. Help me to bear fruit of Your Spirit, which includes humility. In humility and faith, will I receive the answers to my prayer requests. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen!