Mark 7:24-37
Jesus travels his farthest distance in his ministry and still can’t find privacy.
He bypasses the Galilee, goes east into the region of Decapolis (Remember Legion?), turns past Mt Hermon, (Transfiguration with Jesus), ends up at Sea of Galilee.
He runs into a foreign woman…a Greek woman who asks Jesus to cast out a demon from her daughter…who is not present.
Jesus is with his disciples and He “tests”her. “Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children’s (Disciples) bread and throw it to the little dogs (foreigners).”
She is persistent…where are you called today to persevere? What means so much to you that you simply will not be moved out of the presence of Jesus…even if He has already told you no?
Persistence pays off here as Jesus casts the demon out from a distance. Is there crazy spiritual Warfare around you? Would you go to Jesus believing He can take care of it for you and those you love even from a distance?
He keeps moving and heals a deaf-mute man. Often deafness results in difficulty of clear speech. One problem leads to another. Jesus heals this guy VERY intimately…brings him aside, “put his fingers in his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue. Then looking up to heaven,He sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha” that is, “Be Opened!”
Jesus healed BOTH problems at once.
Often the most powerful ministry is the most intimate. Let Jesus touch you today in a very intimate and personal manner…this guy had to allow Jesus close access…will you?
“And they were astonished beyond measure.”