A. INTRODUCTION
This is the last year of ministry and Jesus will constantly withdraw from the masses and take at least four trips away from Galilee. (Mark 6:31; Mark 7:24; Mark 7:31; Mark 8:13). The reason:
1. Hostility from the Jews.
2. To prepare His disciples for His departure (Matt. 16:21).
3. Physical rest.
B. HEALING BY TESTED FAITH – MARK 7:24-30
1. A Syro-Phoenician woman (a Syrian living in Phoenicia) “kept asking Him to cast the demons out of her daughter” (Mark 7:26). Jesus gave an unusual answer, “Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs” (Mark 7:27).
2. Why this answer?
a. To the Jews first (Rom. 1:16).
b. His time was brief.
c. To test her faith.
3. The woman’s faith. “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children’s crumbs” (Mark 7:28).
C. HEALING BY GIVING FAITH – MARK 7:31-37
Jesus was healing many in Decapolis (Matt. 15:30) when a deaf mute was treated differently.
1. Private miracle. “He took him aside from the multitude” (Mark 7:33).
2. Use of signs. “. . . put His fingers in his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue” (Mark 7:33).
3. Directed to the Father. “Looking up to heaven, He sighed” (Mark 7:34).
4. Power of the Word. “And said to him, ‘Ephphatha,’ that is, ‘Be opened’” (Mark. 7:34).
D. HEALING BY GROWING PARTIAL FAITH – MARK 8:22-26
1. A blind man was brought to Jesus and “they begged Him to touch him” (Mark 8:22). Jesus privately:
a. Placed spit on his eyes.
b. Touched him.
2. To stimulate faith Jesus asked, if he saw anything? (Mark 8:23).
3. Partial faith produced partial results. “I see men like trees walking” (Mark 8:24).
4. Jesus completed the miracle. “He was restored and saw everyone clearly” (Mark 8:25).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
All PBC lessons are available online at trbc.org/pbc. Go to www.Hopenow.tv for the current program schedule.
