Sermon: “Even The Dogs Qualify” The Syrophoenician Woman’s Persistent Faith
Text: Mark 7:24-30 “Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre. He didn’t want anyone to know which house he was staying in, but he couldn’t keep it a secret. Right away a woman who had heard about him came and fell at his feet. Her little girl was possessed by an evil spirit, and she begged him to cast out the demon from her daughter.
Since she was a Gentile, born in Syrian Phoenicia, Jesus told her, “First I should feed the children—my own family, the Jews. It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.” She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even the dogs under the table are allowed to eat the scraps from the children’s plates.” “Good answer!” he said. “Now go home, for the demon has left your daughter.” And when she arrived home, she found her little girl lying quietly in bed, and the demon was gone.”
Introduction: The Syrophoenician Woman’s Persistent Faith causes her to receive crumbs of Grace! This woman was discouraged from coming to Jesus because of her womanhood, her aloneness and her timing. Many things hindered people from coming to Jesus. If they get pass their emotional baggage, self -doubt and unworthiness, they must deal with religious leaders like the Scribes and Pharisees who blocked access to God's kingdom, the money changers in the temple who turned a place of worship into a marketplace, Diotrephes who rejected others and sought to be first, and Satan who actively impeded Paul's mission to the Thessalonians. Additionally, societal barriers, physical crowds, and personal feelings of unworthiness become obstacles to individuals seeking Jesus. One of the most serious sins we can commit is to hinder another person from encountering God. It’s a sin so serious in magnitude that Jesus once flipped over tables in the temple when he saw it happening and Apostle Paul smote a sorcerer with blindness for three months for the same reason.
Additionally, some people felt unworthy or were prevented by their own pride and preoccupation with other things, while others simply rejected the opportunity God offered. The Scripture gives four times during the ministry of Jesus that He sought to retreat. Jesus withdrew into the wilderness after he was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. Jesus went apart to the mountain to pray before selecting His disciples. Now in this text, Jesus seeks a moment to grieve after the death of John the Baptist. This unusual story occurs during a season of grief and weariness as Jesus chose to leave Judea and enter the country of Phoenicia. This region was conquered by the Romans. It was in this country Jesus sought retirement and rest for himself and disciples, but this rest was broken by the coming of the Syrophoenician woman seeking Jesus on behalf of her demon possessed daughter. Jesus could not be hid because of his fame and his approachableness by those who were in distress. This woman had already dealt with many hindrances and probably expected opposition.
We find that every time Jesus sought a place of rest, the people found him. So, this Canaanite, Greek speaking, Syrophoenician woman found Jesus as soon as he entered her homeland. This woman has a pitiful case. We are not told how long she has been plagued, the Syrophoenician woman has a little daughter who was grievously vexed by a demon. She heard of the presence of Jesus in those parts, came and besought him to cast forth the demon out of her daughter. Jesus did not answer her. Then the disciples intervened and asked him to send her away, but he answered that he was not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
The woman personally renews her petition and begs for help, but Jesus tells her that it is not right or the proper order to give the children’s bread to the dogs. She answered that she would be satisfied with the crumbs, and this brought forth from the Savior the highest commendation of her faith.
Many Jews considered all gentiles nothing more than dogs. They really felt as if they alone qualified to receive the blessings of God. Yet Jesus encounter this Syrophoenician woman seeking healing for her daughter, who was possessed by an unclean spirit. Initially, Jesus responds to her request with a metaphor about not taking the children's bread and giving it to the dogs. The woman, however, cleverly responds that even dogs eat the crumbs from the table. Impressed by her faith, Jesus grants her request, and she returns home to find her daughter healed. In the text, the word “dog” Jesus uses means puppy or house dog or pet. There are some lessons revealed in this woman act of faith: First, she did not allow her insecurities, personal problems or her inconvenient timing to stop her from coming to Jesus. Second, everything she had heard cause her to believe Jesus was the Son of David, the coming Messiah with unlimited power. Third, She chose to worship Jesus even though her request was delayed. Fourthly, She accepted God’s plan of making the Jews a priority, but she believed God could bless all His children. Finally, when all else failed, she threw herself on the mercy of God. Her great faith, great humility and persistent importunity won the day.
This scene was probably on the road and not in the house, which helps us to understand better some of the points in the story. The seeming indifference of Jesus was only to test and develop her faith. The intervention of the disciples was not to ask that she be dismissed without help, but, rather, to give her the blessing and let her go. Evidently the woman did not hear Christ’s reply to the disciples. Being in ahead of the woman on the road, this conversation was not understood by her, which explains the next statement that “she came and worshiped him.” The statement of Jesus to the disciples that he was not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel meant that he was unwilling to carry on a general ministry in Phoenicia, because his mission was to the Jews.
The “crumb” idea here introduced by the woman and acted upon by Christ does not conflict with this idea of avoiding a general ministry in Phoenicia. This referred to the smaller blessing to a Gentile dog which would not take any of the children’s bread. She seems here to argue that Jesus is now away from the Jews and not feeding them. So a blessing in this isolated case would not interfere with the blessings for the Jews. The woman was willing not only to be called a dog, but to be called a little dog and to have a little dog’s share of food.
I would like for you to think with me on the subject, Even the Dogs qualify! Think of dogs as being the least likely person; those in the worst possible place; at the most inappropriate time; who discovers the power of faith! Faith in God is a great qualifier!
There are so many obstacles in this lesson: It’s not a good time. Jesus and the disciples are seeking solitude. John the Baptist has been recently beheaded. The disciples and the people were trying to make Jesus an earthly king. This woman is the wrong race. It’s not her time or season. Jesus is not sent to her kind. Yet he finds himself confronted by a desperate woman, with undeniable faith.
There are several points that speak to me in this text. First, real ministry is not always a ministry of convenience.
1. Some ministry will not be a ministry of convenience. If we are serious about meeting the needs of people, be prepared to be interrupted. The peace and rest Jesus sought was often interrupted. People need help at inconvenient times. Helping people is costly and sometimes downright expensive. Yet, people in desperate situations need real ministry. As children of God, we should expect to be interrupted.
2. Some Requests May Be Met with a Conversation of Silence. The text said, “but he answered her not a word.” God will not always answer our prayers quickly. We must understand that God always hears our prayers, but sometimes delays his response. Some delays can cause us to pray more earnestly. Yet other delays come because we are not ready for the answer. Finally, we must remember that silence is not God finally answer. At the end of Silence, God will speak! Habakkuk 2:3, God answers his prophet by saying, “For the vision is yet for an appointed time. But in the end, it shall speak and not lie. Though it tarries, wait. For it shall surely come and shall not delay.” Then in 2Corinthians 1:20, Paul assures the Corinthians that, “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” Silence is not God’s final answer! For all the promises of God are YES and AMEN!
3. Answers Come in Response to Persistent Faith. There is a faith that cannot fail. God honors persistent faith. God honors a faith that will not shrink and encourages us to trust him more. Every time, Jesus met “little Faith” he rebukes it! “O Ye of little faith, wherefore did you doubt.” Even though the woman was ignored and called a dog, she kept on believing. Mark gospel says, “then came she and worshipped, saying Lord Help me!
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 explains that faith is essential to please God, requiring a person to believe two things: that God exists and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him. This doesn't mean only believing God is real but having a trusting relationship where one actively pursues Him, even when His presence or promises aren't visible. There are some phrases that appear repeatedly for an example, "thy faith hath made thee whole" (Mark 5:34; Luke 17:19). In other biblical translations, it says, "your faith has made you well" or "your faith has healed you". God always responds to persistent faith!
4. Some answers only require mustard seed faith and a crumb size miracle. Matthew 15:26-27 “But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.”
This woman’s faith allowed her to accept indifference, rejection, discrimination without anger or frustration. When some would become angry and walked away, this woman decided to accept the privileges of a house dog. It’s true that you should not take the children’s bread and give it to dogs. Children should come first. It’s true dogs are not allowed a chair at the table. So, I am willing to lie under table at the master’s feet. Give the best food to the children just allow me to have the crumbs. If the meat will nourish the children, the crumbs will nourish me.
(1) Some ministry opportunities come at inconvenient times. (2) Some ministry requests are met by a conversation of silence. (3) God always responds to persistent faith. (4) Some answers only require a crumb size miracle. (5) The Ministry of Jesus is Available to all, even the dogs qualify.
5. The Ministry of Jesus is Available to all, even the dogs qualify. Even the Dogs qualify! You may feel like you are the least likely person; serving in the worst possible place; at the most inappropriate time of your ministry, if you can only rediscover the power of your faith! You qualify! Your child can be delivered. Your church can grow and thrive. Your health can be restored. Faith in God is a great qualifier!
Some may feel disqualified because of life’s circumstances, past mistakes, or present problems. What has disqualified you? What lies has Satan told you? You must not allow pride to stand in your way. This woman humbled herself and plead, Lord, help me! She knew he had the answer to her need, and she refused to leave without it. She waited on the Lord until He had mercy on her and helped her case. That kind of faith and determination always prevails. You too, qualify! You can come as you are, come and cry out! Don’t give up on his mercy, He will have mercy on you.
Jesus often spoke of faith his disciples: 5 times he said, “…. have faith and do not doubt in your heart.” 6 times he said, “o ye of little faith, wherefore did you doubt.” 3 times he called them “faithless and perverse generation.” 3 times he said,”…How is it that ye have no faith.” And twice he said,…have faith as a grain of mustard seed.”
Not once did Jesus say, “You are believing for too much” or “your faith is just too great.” God has not disqualified you or your ministry or your church. What are you believing God for? What are you expecting from him? Keep on believing and keep coming to Him. You may have to overlook being ignored or the effort of some good intentioned people trying to send you away. You may be disappointed with the level of immaturity, discrimination, and classism you find in the church, don’t let that stop you. You qualify and you are welcomed. Don’t be surprised by the imperfect people you run into, keeping coming because God’s door is open and He will answer for you. You qualify, God has the answer you need. Jesus came for people just like you and me. We qualify.
Zach Williams in his song, Jesus Loves, says: “All the renegades, the rebels, and the runaways, all the prodigals who got a little lost along the way, And all the backsliders, up all-nighters, down in a rut.These are the ones The ones that Jesus loves”, Every dream shattered, bruised and battered, barely hanging on Every heartbroken, lonely soul sitting all alone, And every outcast, stuck in their past, scared of letting go. These are the ones, The ones that Jesus chose. So come on in, the door is open, And the Savior's arms are too. The table's set, a seat is waiting
And He saved it just for you, So no more running, No more hiding, Come on in and you will find, That you don't have to be enough To be someone Jesus loves.
And all the too proud, the holier than thou, looking down on them. And all the high and mighty, fallen from grace, trying to start again. And all the stones cast, judgment passed, He's forgiven you. Oh, He's leaving the light on, So you know where to run to, So come on in, the door is open, And the Savior's arms are too. The table's set, a seat is waiting, And He saved it just for you. So no more running, No more hiding. Come on in and you will find
That you don't have to be enough, To be someone Jesus loves (loves) Don't gotta fight for His forgiveness. Don't gotta beg Him for his grace. You don't gotta argue for acceptance, If you hear nothin' else, child, hear me say, Yes, Jesus loves, Oh yes, Jesus loves you. So come on in, the door is open. And the savior's arms are too. The table's set, a seat is waiting. And He saved it just for you, So no more running. No more hiding. Come on in and you will find That you don't have to be enough. No, no, no, It's been decided by the blood. Yes, you're someone Jesus loves
Someone Jesus loves, You're already someone Jesus loves.” AMEN
