After confronting the religious leaders of His time, Jesus travels into regions where the Jewish people were not populated and he Jewish faith was not widely known. In a sense He moves into “enemy territory.”  Messiah came to His people – but they would not believe. Jesus came to those who had no clue and they believed. And because of that they were healed.

• Prayers that are answered.
• Desperation
• Perseverance
• Willingness to be humbled
  

Digging Deeper

1.  Compare the story of the Greek woman in Mark 7:24-30 with the story of the Roman centurian in Matthew 8:5-13.    In what ways are they the same? In what ways are they different?  Why were their requests granted? What were their attitudes?  How do those compare or contrast with the attitudes of many (see Luke 18:9-14).  Probably most of us would say we have hearts like the Greek woman’s hearts – but do we really?

2.  Read the following passages:  Matthew 15:24; Mark 7:27; Matthew 10:5-7; Romans 2:9-10.  To whom was Jesus sent? Why?  How do the following passages impact your answer: Romans 1:16 and Romans 10:12-13?

3.  One of the underlying themes of these stories is that of prejudice.  Gentiles were often referred to as “dogs.”  Do you think Jesus’ remark revealed His prejudice? Why or why not? How does the fact that he went into predominantly Gentile areas argue for or against your answer? Read Galatians 3:26-29.  What does this teach us about prejudice? Are you prejudiced?  Before you answer too quickly consider this:  how often do you go into “enemy territory?” (Move outside your own demographic).  What do you think or say about those in the poor areas of town (where drugs and crime take place)?  What comes to your mind the first time you meet someone from the Middle East? Do you go out of your way to help the Samaritans in your life (Luke 10:29-37).  Ask the Lord to reveal any areas where you might look at others with a prejudiced eye.  And then ask Him to forgive you.

Scripture

(Mark 7:24-37 NIV)  Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. 25 In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an evil spirit came and fell at his feet. 26 The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter. 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 their dogs." 28 "Yes, Lord," she replied, "but 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." 30 She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

 31 Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. 32 There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged him to place his hand on the man. 33 After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man's ears. Then he spit and touched the man's tongue. 34 He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, "Ephphatha!" (which means, "Be opened!"). 35 At this, the man's ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly. 36 Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. 37 People were overwhelmed with amazement. "He has done everything well," they said. "He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak."

(Matthew 15:31 NIV)  The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.

(Isaiah 42:1-7 NIV)  "Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations. 2 He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. 3 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; 4 he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope." 5 This is what God the LORD says-- he who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: 6 "I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, 7 to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.

(Mark 7:5-6 NIV)  So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, "Why don't your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with 'unclean' hands?" 6 He replied, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: "'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

 (John 1:6-13 NIV)  There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

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