"Unusual Outcomes" - a Sermon on Mark 7:24-37

Do you get excited when you read the results of faith on the pages of the Scriptures? I do!

Last week, in the first part of chapter 7, we read about how the Pharisees had failed to see what was most important about God’s relationship with His people; worse than that they were actually perverting the way in which God wanted people to interact under God’s own wise commandments. Then Jesus explained to his disciples, who were always slow to understand, how it was the output of the heart that counted, so that none could be prejudiced against just because of their culture. God would be looking way beyond the cultural practices of the Jewish people to see how Jesus and his disciples could connect with non-Jewish peoples.

What got up the nose of the Pharisees the most was that Jesus was taking their God beyond their borders. How easy it is to try to confine God to our personal agendas and needs; whilst ignoring the broad and deep need beyond ourselves. It is actually, as we have learnt, when we think well and truly beyond ourselves, that the blessing comes to us (not the other way around). God is on mission to connect with people who are not with us yet, but are not far from our reach. As we connect with them, we will experience such warmth and encouragement, that we will know our faith is well-placed. As Jesus was here in Mark’s Gospel extending the borderlines of the Kingdom, God is continuing to lead the same approach today.

And it’s not as if people are always antagonistic or difficult; I have found it to be quite the opposite, especially when effort has gone into building relationship. When Jesus went to Gentile places like Tyre, people were anxious to see him and bring their needs to him – to the point at which Jesus would be exhausted. We read at 3:8 how people had travelled from Tyre and Sidon to see and hear Jesus at the Sea of Galilee.

One such person who came to Jesus would both challenge the religious status-quo to the limit, and typify God’s intent to connect with people who would normally be ignored. Here was a Gentile woman with a daughter who had an unclean spirit of some kind … a woman from a foreign culture who must have done something really wrong for her daughter to be in such a predicament … totally untouchable – such was the mindset! She was from Tyre, whose inhabitants Jewish historian Josephus described as “notoriously our bitterest enemies”.

Yet, what we see here is a pure responsive faith in Jesus, which was completely missing in the people who should have known better. She “bowed down” at Jesus’ feet, worshipped him and trusted him, and “begged” (or ‘implored’) Jesus to help her daughter. This woman even knew how she was seen by the Jews, but didn’t let that dissuade her from approaching Jesus. She didn’t argue with Jesus over where the history of God’s dealings with humanity had been based, just simply stated a case for her own faith. This woman was prepared to accept whatever measure of God’s grace was on offer. So often we sell people short on what potential they may have!

Knowing what we know about Jesus, and on the basis of his earlier journeys into Gentile territory, it is not easy to understand what he said in verse 27. Clearly this little parable is referring to the people of Israel as the “children” and the gentiles as “dogs”, with the possible implication of superiority and inferiority; which doesn’t fit well with the Jesus we know. However, in trying to explain this, was Jesus looking for an acknowledgement from the woman that the origin of faith in the true God began with Israel, and that that was okay? If the woman was able to concede this point, then her understanding would be far ahead of those who simply restrict God to Israel alone i.e. the Pharisees. The woman did concede this point in her response and thus receives all of what Jesus has to give.

Another possibility is that Jesus is simply feeding back to this woman, how she is viewed by most other people (with the exception of himself), and how she reacts to this. Would this be a deterrent to her? How real was this woman’s faith? So real … that she was willing to accept any measure of grace that Jesus could offer her. Even a crumb of grace was able to heal her daughter completely and immediately.

Others have commented that this woman is the only character in Mark who wins an argument with Jesus, in so doing being lifted in everyone’s estimation, and offering a clear presentation of the full scope of Jesus’ ministry. In any case, Jesus, aided by this woman, was here breaking down the social boundaries between cultures, and forever challenging the existing distinction between ‘clean’ and ‘unclean’. Here was a magnificent scene of divine wisdom meeting human need; and divine love meeting human faith, for this woman was in no doubt that Jesus could grant her what she was asking for – the cleansing of her daughter.

So what is the connection to the next passage concerning the deaf man with the speech impediment? I think the connection Mark is seeking to draw, is in the reaction at the end. In what you would think was the more difficult region of the time to share the gospel, ears were opened to the Word of God and tongues were able to speak of the wonder of Jesus. This was clearly God at work, because Jesus had looked up into heaven, sighing under the weight of this man’s need, and asked God to act through him.

The order of proceedings here in verses 33 and 34 is very interesting. Jesus first acted in touching this man, by getting involved, by connecting with him, irrespective of whatever anyone else would think; Jesus put his fingers in the man’s ears, and put his own healing spittle on the man’s tongue. Then Jesus prayed that this relational interaction would be effective! Making connection … establishing relationship … then praying for a good outcome! And what a result! This would be talked about excitedly in this community for days. They would be saying that this Jesus, against all odds, could open ears to hear and understand, and allow those who had previously had trouble expressing themselves to talk openly.

These community members were quoted (in verse 37) to be saying, “He [Jesus] has done everything well”. What are these words reminiscent of? When God created the heavens and the earth and everything in it, this was all described as “very good”. Mark here implies that the people of Gentile lands were, ahead of everybody else, sensing that Jesus was God; perhaps also echoing the hope that the fallen creation could be restored. Jesus’ act of making someone whole is here linked with God’s own work in creation.

The woman and previously deaf man are the little people of the gospel stories, yet the ones who open their arms to the Kingdom of God. They see an opportunity to get their everyday human needs addressed, and are vulnerable and open and humble enough to take their opportunity, and (with their families and communities) experience liberation. So, can we be like these? And having been like these and experienced salvation, can we be a part of others responding in the same way. This is the path of discipleship. If anyone feels moved to start following Jesus, then they should begin right here and now!!

Can today we be inspired by the possibilities of such faith for ourselves and also for others? Are we truly excited by such gospel narratives, or have they become mundane for us? Who are the Syrophoenician Woman and the deaf mute man in our everyday life? Is there someone near us seeking Jesus who we can point in the right direction?