Faith That Pleases Jesus

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Faith That Pleases Jesus

Date: Mar. 30, 2016

Passage

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.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 7:29

And he said to her, “For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter.”

First, the Syrophoenician woman (24-26). Jesus left the place where he had confronted the religious leaders and went to a Gentile region in the vicinity of Tyre. A Syrophoenician woman heard that Jesus was near and immediately came and fell at his feet. Her beautiful daughter, once calm and peaceful, had been overcome with an impure spirit and no one had been able to help. Somehow, she knew for sure that the feet of Jesus was the place where mercy could be found.

Second, a faith that wouldn't be denied (27-30). Matthew writes that at first, Jesus didn't even respond to the woman's begging. When Jesus finally did respond, his words seemed rather disheartening: "it is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to the dogs." But the woman persisted. Even a crumb of God's mercy would be enough to meet her need and she would not turn away from him. Such faith in the Lord's character and is pleasing to him. We learn that we must hold on to the grace and mercy of God and never let go. Jesus announced that the demon had left her daughter. The woman believed him and went home to find that it was true.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for your grace and mercy. Grant us a great and persistent faith like that of the Syrophoenician woman.

One Word: For such a reply, you may go

God’s Wrath and Justice

Revelation 6:1-17

Key Verse: 6:17

for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”

Today's Question

What does God require from us to escape His anger and curse, which we deserve for our sin?

See answer and references