Marcos 7

Marcos 7

Henry: V24-30. Christ never put any from him that fell at his feet, which a poor trembling soul may do. As she was a good woman, so a good mother. This sent her to Christ. His saying, Let the children first be filled, shows that there was mercy for the Gentiles, and not far off. She spoke, not as making light of the mercy, but magnifying the abundance of miraculous cures among the Jews, in comparison with which a single cure was but as a crumb. Thus, while proud Pharisees are left by the blessed Saviour, he manifests his compassion to poor humbled sinners, who look to him for children's bread. He still goes about to seek and save the lost. Mark 7:24-30 - "As Thou Wilt" - Matthew 15:21-28 - JESUS' ministry in the coasts of Tyre and Sidon is marked by the wonderful story of the Syrophenician woman (Matt. 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30). He had not planned a public ministry in these parts, but Mark tells us "He could not be hid." Neither can a true Christian be hidden; men will find him out. This woman, outside the pale of His ministry to Israel, besought Him for her demonized daughter, but we read, "He answered her not a word." Prayer often meets such a Divine silence, but few of us press on to an answer as did this needy soul. Too often we take silence to mean refusal. The disciples, bothered by her begging, asked our Lord to respond and send her away. These poor men were continually trying to handle the cases that came to Jesus, but not in His way. He answers, "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel," which indicates that they had meant for Him to grant her request to get rid of her. It is another clear declaration of His ministry to the Jew first. "He came unto His own and His own received Him not." Not rebuffed at this, the woman beseeches Him, "Lord, help me," identifying herself with her daughter's need. Still stronger is the Lord's reply: "It is not good to take the children's bread and to cast it to dogs." It is a severe answer. We pass over the sternness of our Lord in these soft, sentimental days. Had the woman come with less than genuine, importunate faith, this would have sent her away insulted—this calling the Jews "children" and the Gentiles "dogs." But our Lord uses the term for little household dogs, and the woman catches the clue. "True, we may not have the bread, but surely we may share the crumbs." Here is humility and perseverance that will not be denied! It is he who is willing to take crumbs who receives bread. Such faith draws from our Lord the gracious answer: "O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt." Notice, it is as thou wilt. There is a faith that desires and asks, but here faith goes further and wills. Jesus tells us (Mark 11:23) that whoever shall command a mountain to be moved and shall not doubt but believe, he shall have whatever he says. Mind you, He does not say, "Whosoever shall ask God to move the mountain," but "Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed." Here is faith that dares to command. "Concerning the work of My hands, command ye Me" (Isa. 45:11). Mark tells us that He said, "For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter." Such faith always sends us on our way; and as we go we are cleansed, as it was with the lepers (Luke 17:14). The woman went, Mark tells us, and found it even as He had said. So did the nobleman (John 4:51). Oh, how rare is the faith that takes Him at His word and goes on believing! (Vance Havner) Ian Paisley - The Unconcealable Christ "He could not be hid" Mark 7:24 I. The Unconcealable Christ Because of His Light Christ is the Light of the world, how then could He be hid? Christ did not put His light under a bed. He put it on a candlestick. He was the true Light which lighteth every man coming into the world (John 1:9). II. The Unconcealable Christ Because of His Life "In Christ is life and that life was the light of men" (John 1:4). How then could He be hid? He came to give men life that they might have it more abundantly. Life is unconcealable. Moses' mother in three months discovered that (see Hebrews 11:23). III. The Unconcealable Christ Because of His Love Christ was unconcealable because His love was unconcealable. "Behold how He loved him" the Jews exclaimed of Christ's love for Lazarus (John 11:36). It was so visible. Thank God Christ cannot be hid. (A Text A Day Keeps the Devil Away) James Smith - Handfuls of Purpose - HE COULD NOT BE HID Mark 7:24 I. Who? (1) Christ as God mysteriously incarnated. (2) As His Gift to a starving world. (3) As the Light of men. II. Why? “He could not be hid.” (1) Because of Old Testament prophecy. (2) Because of His character. It was not possible to hide love, light, life. (3) Because He had gifts for men. III. When? “He could not be hid.” (1) When in the bosom of His Father. The beloved Son must be given up. (2) When after He was thirty years of age. Then he presented Himself to John at Jordan as the Lamb of God. (3) When in the house. It was noised abroad. No house big enough for Him. (4) When in the tomb. Death and the grave could not hide Him. IV. To whom? “He cannot be hid.” (1) To those who seek Him. “Ye shall find Me when ye shall seek for Me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:13). Seek and ye shall find. (2) In those who find Him. When Christ dwells in the heart the fragrance of His sweet Name and the light of His presence cannot be hid. “He could not be hid,” but He may hide Himself (John 12:36). (3) To the unbelieving world. For the time will yet come when “every eye shall see Him.” The same Jesus shall in like manner come “as ye have seen Him go into Heaven” (Acts 1:11). (4) To the dead, small and great. He will be “Judge of all” (Rev. 20:11–15). G C