103-105. Deliverance, Healing, and Feeding

 http://www.ccel.org/bible/phillips/JBPhillips.htm

BACKGROUND AND LINKS

YEAR THREE of Jesus' public ministry A.D. 29-30

103. Jesus sends a demon out of a girl: Matthew 15:21-28, Mark 7:24-30

Jesus withdrew to Tyre and Sidon (#8 & 9 on the map) to get away from the pesky religious leaders and encountered a pagan Gentile woman from the Canaanites. The Canaanites were the original inhabitants of Palestine. They caused many men of Israel to stumble as they disobeyed God by marrying the idol-worshiping Canaanites (Numbers 13:29). They were despised by the Israelites and referred to as "dogs."  Matthew's Jewish audience would have understood what a persistent act of faith it was for this woman to approach a Jewish rabbi! Mark's Gentile audience would have been in wonder and thanksgiving!

The woman's faith was great because she understood that even Jesus' leftover "crumbs" had the power to deliver her daughter from demon possession! This story is significant in that even though Jesus' focus was the Jews, He also cared about Gentiles who exercised faith. You will remember that Jesus only commended Gentiles for their great faith, here and in the story of the Roman officer's son (Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10, Event 68). 

104. Jesus heals many people: Matthew 15:29-31, Mark 7:31-37

Jesus went 20 miles north to Sidon on the coast and then southeast, avoiding Galilee, to the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee called Decapolis (#10 on the map). Commentators believe this "out of the way" route was to guard His time with His disciples as He gave final teachings. This also explains why He gave orders not to tell anyone about the healing of the man. 

The Mark account gives details about the deaf man who had trouble speaking. Jesus said, "Ephphatha!" Some commentators believe that this indicates that the man was not a Gentile because Aramaic was spoken by the Jews. 

105. Jesus feeds 4,000: Matthew 15:32-39, Mark 8:1-10

This occurs in the predominantly Gentile region of Decapolis (#10 on the map). The inclusion of the Gentile world in God's plan of salvation is again reinforced at the feeding of the 4,000. The 5,000 were mostly Jews, but the 4,000 were located in a Gentile region of Palestine.

REFLECTION/APPLICATION

It is quite significant that Jesus called two Gentile people's faith "great." It is also significant that He fed 4,000 Gentiles.  We must conclude that God loves Gentiles!

Today's "Gentiles" are the unreached people groups spread throughout the world. 30 percent of the world has never heard the Good News.

Maybe you can pray and join over a thousand people praying for today's "Unreached People of the Day." It is great because you can log that you prayed on the website or the widget below.

PRAYER

Lord, I thank You that You have a plan for all. Help us to join You in the plan of seeing people from every nation, people, tongue, and tribe worshiping at Your throne! We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.