Read Mark 7:24–8:10
Questions from the Scripture text: Into what region did Jesus go in Mark 7:24? What couldn’t He do? Why not—who found Him (Mark 7:25)? What ethnicity was the woman (Mark 7:26)? What did Jesus imply about her in Mark 7:27? Did she deny it in Mark 7:28? How did she respond? What does Jesus say is a result of her response in Mark 7:29? What did the woman find when she went home (Mark 7:30)? To what region does Jesus then go in Mark 7:31? Interestingly, in this Gentile region, what does He say in Aramaic in Mark 7:34? In addition to regaining his hearing, what other miracle does the man in Mark 7:35 experience? What does He command them in Mark 7:36 (something He usually commands in Jewish territory)? What do people say about Him in Mark 7:37 (that demonstrates that though Gentiles, they had Messianic expectations)? What size multitude had Jesus gathered now, even in this Gentile territory (Mark 8:1)? What did Jesus have on the multitude in Mark 8:2? How long had they stayed with Him, even without food? Why would some of them have passed out on the way home, if He sent them away to eat (Mark 8:3)? Why didn’t the disciples think they had any other options (Mark 8:4)? How many loaves did they have (Mark 8:5)? What did Jesus command the multitude to do in Mark 8:6? What two things does Jesus do with the loaves before giving them to the disciples? What else did they have (Mark 8:7)? How much did these people who hadn’t eaten for three days eat (Mark 8:8)? How many, of what size baskets of leftovers, did they take up? How many had eaten? To what (Jewish) region did Jesus now go (Mark 8:10)?
Whom does Jesus save? Mark 7:25–8:10 prepares us for the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Jesus is an abundant Savior for a multitude from all the nations.
Jesus goes into Gentile territory and shows that He is making for Himself children from among the Gentiles too.
First, we find Him in Tyre and Sidon (Mark 7:24), coastal trade-port cities with terrible reputations for wickedness. In fact, these cities often find themselves targets of condemnation in the Minor Prophets, and even appear in Jesus’ pronouncements against the Jewish cities on Galilee.
There, a woman somehow finds out that He is there and comes to ask Him to save her daughter from the control of a demon (Mark 7:25-26). The woman is a Gentile, and Jesus basically says, “Don’t you know that I’m a Jewish Messiah Who came to a Jewish nation?” (Mark 7:27). In fact, His word picture for her and her daughter is “dogs” as opposed to “children.” However, this woman’s love for her daughter, and faith in Christ, foster a humility that doesn’t take offense at this but rather insists that Christ has more than enough grace for all—even unclean Gentiles (Mark 7:28). Jesus recognizes this and tells her that her daughter has been healed (Mark 7:29-30).
Jesus moves on to the Decapolis (Mark 7:31)—a region populated by Gentiles and Samaritans, but we find in Mark 7:37 especially that there are many here expecting the Christ. He was prophesied to make the deaf to hear and the mute to speak (cf. Isaiah 35:5–6), and here Jesus does both in one case (Mark 7:32-35). Those who are expecting Isaiah’s Messiah say, “He has done all things well” (Mark 7:37).
And He has, dear Christian. He has fulfilled every prophecy and completed every task of the Messiah. He is a victorious and complete Savior. You may cling to Him with absolute confidence!
The final episode may be the strongest statement that Christ is every bit as much a Messiah for the Gentiles as for the Jews. The Jews had recognized whom He was claiming to be, when He fed a multitude in the wilderness. Now, there is a multitude who are willing to stay with Him without food for three days (Mark 8:2, their willingness a small miracle in itself), but this multitude is Gentile. What does He do? Reproduce the wilderness feeding, still with seven large baskets left over (Mark 8:8). Jesus is a more-than-abundant Savior for the whole world!!
Have you ever wondered if Jesus is a Savior for you? What’s it look like for you to cling to Him, even if you’re not “in”? What does it look like to cling to Him, even when difficult or inconvenient? How much is He able to save you?
Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for reminding us that Jesus is saving people who are not yet part of His church. Thank You for reminding us that He is an abundant Savior for as many as come to Him. Forgive us for when we are reluctant or hesitant to come to Him. Make us like those four thousand Gentiles, Who stayed with Him three days, even though they had no food. Make us hunger and thirst for Him, more than for bread or any other earthly good, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP23B “The LORD’s My Shepherd” or TPH273 “Break, Thou, the Bread of Life”