QT 11/30/2023 Mark 7:24-30, Do we ache to serve Jesus?

Mark 7:24–30 (ESV) —

24 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. 25 But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell down at his feet. 26 Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27 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.” 28 But she answered him, “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” 29 And he said to her, “For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter.” 30 And she went home and found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.

 

NOTE: This is passage is best understood by a Jew but also gives a glimpse of the future ministry with Gentiles. The term "dog" is typically used by Jews to describe Gentiles. It can also be viewed as puppies, as opposed to scavengers (adult dogs). Jesus' ministry was to the Jews, and it was not time for it to spread to the Gentiles. He was already having a problem with crowds as expressed in the opening verse of this story. While the women doesn't necessarily express faith, her persistence shows her implicit faith. The intent was always the whole world, but that was the job of the Jews. It was always their job to be God's witnesses. With the rejection of Jesus by the Jews, that responsibility fell to the church, a new entity composed of Jew and Gentile. If I could summarize the key responsibilities of believers in Jesus Christ, it would be the following three (there is overlap among the three).

 

1. Make disciples (Matt 28:19-20)
2. Be a witness for Jesus Christ to a dying world (Acts 1:8)
3. Love God and love people (Matt 22:37-40)

 

I believe a disciple making disciples (1) does (2) and (3) as part of the definition of a disciple of Jesus Christ. I believe being a witness (2) means doing (3). And I believe loving God and loving people (3) should lead to (1) and (2). All three are inseparable to a true follower of Jesus Christ.

 

PONDER:

1. Are you a true follower of Jesus Christ or just a religious person?
2. Do the three key responsibilities ache at your heart? If not, you are religious and don't really know the savior.

 

PRAYER: Father, in these last days, help me to see opportunities to share my faith. Give me boldness and the words to share Jesus with others. I pray my life would express my faith in all that I do.