A Demon is Cast Out & the Deaf Hear
July 17, 2020
Commentary
Jesus left Capernaum and traveled north to the region of Tyre and Sidon (v. 24), a Gentile area. There, a woman came to Him, asking help for her daughter who was possessed by a demon (vv. 25–26). She was a Greek-speaking Canaanite woman. Jesus replied that it was not right to take the children’s bread and give it to dogs (v. 27). This was a common Jewish expression for Gentiles. Yet her humble reply showed both faith and persistence: “Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs.” (v. 28). Seeing her faith, Jesus granted her request, and her daughter was healed (vv. 29–30). Her faith re-mained strong despite the test. This moment shows that God’s grace reaches beyond boundaries and welcomes all who come in humble faith.
Jesus then traveled through Sidon to the region of Decapolis (v. 31), another Gentile area. During this time, He continued to teach and prepare His disciples. This journey likely gave Him quiet time away from the crowds, allowing deeper instruction before the challenges ahead. He used this time to strengthen their faith. It reminds us that spiritual growth often happens in quiet seasons, not only in public moments.
There, people brought to Him a man who was “deaf and had an impediment in his speech” (v. 32). Jesus took him aside from the crowd, showing personal care and sensitivity. He looked up to heaven and said, “Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.” (v. 34). Immediately, the man was healed (v. 35). The people were amazed and said, “He hath done all things well.” (v. 37). Jesus did not seek attention but showed compassion. He cared deeply for each person. This reminds us that while many seek physical help, our deeper need is spiritual healing. We must recognize our need and come to Him with faith, just as this man did.
Application
Do I come to Jesus with humble faith, even when tested? Do I trust Him in quiet seasons when growth feels slow? Am I aware of my deeper spiritual needs? Will I choose to depend on Him and do I bring my needs to Him with honesty and trust? Will I listen for His voice and believe He cares for me personally today, and respond with faith and obedience?
Mark 7:24–37 (NET)
24 After Jesus left there, he went to the region of Tyre. When he went into a house, he did not want anyone to know, but he was not able to escape notice. 25 Instead, a woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him and came and fell at his feet. 26 The woman was a Greek, of Syrophoenician origin. She asked him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27 He said to her, “Let the children be satisfied first, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and to throw it to the dogs.” 28 She answered, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” 29 Then he said to her, “Because you said this, you may go. The demon has left your daughter.” 30 She went home and found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.
31 Then Jesus went out again from the region of Tyre and came through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee in the region of the Decapolis. 32 They brought to him a deaf man who had difficulty speaking, and they asked him to place his hands on him. 33 After Jesus took him aside privately, away from the crowd, he put his fingers in the man’s ears, and after spitting, he touched his tongue. 34 Then he looked up to heaven and said with a sigh, “Ephphatha” (that is, “Be opened”). 35 And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his tongue loosened, and he spoke plainly. 36 Jesus ordered them not to tell anyone. But as much as he ordered them not to do this, they proclaimed it all the more. 37 People were completely astounded and said, “He has done everything well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”
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