WEBVTT 00:00:00.300 --> 00:00:04.360 Have you ever been afraid to approach someone? 00:00:05.560 --> 00:00:11.800 A professor for help, a coach with a special request, a judge. 00:00:12.720 --> 00:00:14.019 Have you ever been afraid? 00:00:15.620 --> 00:00:20.879 I think of Dorothy and her friends, the scarecrow, the tin man, and the cowardly lion 00:00:20.879 --> 00:00:26.539 as they step into that long green hallway in the Emerald City, 00:00:26.539 --> 00:00:33.560 approaching to the throne room of the Wizard of Oz, the great and powerful Oz, 00:00:34.179 --> 00:00:39.659 how they trembled before him, overwhelmed by the pomp and circumstance. 00:00:42.299 --> 00:00:45.219 Have you ever felt that way as you've approached others? 00:00:46.640 --> 00:00:51.500 Have you ever felt that way about approaching God as well? 00:00:52.320 --> 00:00:54.219 Do you tremble to come to him? 00:00:54.219 --> 00:01:00.460 Maybe like Dorothy, you feel like God is overwhelming and unwelcoming, 00:01:00.979 --> 00:01:03.899 that the God of the universe will have no time for you 00:01:03.899 --> 00:01:08.200 and that you have no place and no standing to come before him. 00:01:10.299 --> 00:01:15.799 Now, it's also very possible in our world today that you don't feel that way at all. 00:01:16.620 --> 00:01:19.000 You may think, Jesus is our friend. 00:01:19.000 --> 00:01:24.099 We can walk in whenever we want, invite him to sit down on the couch, have a cup of tea with us. 00:01:25.579 --> 00:01:32.159 And maybe, as C.S. Lewis puts it, we are even putting God in the dock. 00:01:32.239 --> 00:01:34.480 We don't approach him in fear and trembling. 00:01:34.900 --> 00:01:37.560 We ask him to come and prove himself to us. 00:01:37.819 --> 00:01:41.480 We put him on trial in our own hearts and minds. 00:01:41.480 --> 00:01:48.659 And we approach him with not only boldness, but an arrogance that he has to meet our standards and our needs. 00:01:50.659 --> 00:01:58.359 However we think about approaching God this morning, the Bible always comes to challenge us, 00:01:58.719 --> 00:02:00.980 to challenge our assumptions. 00:02:00.980 --> 00:02:05.740 And this morning, we're going to look at a passage in the book of Mark, 00:02:05.900 --> 00:02:10.240 where we see Jesus responding in an unexpected way, 00:02:11.439 --> 00:02:15.200 ways that will help us see him more clearly, 00:02:15.640 --> 00:02:19.939 and help us to know how we rightly should approach God. 00:02:20.860 --> 00:02:23.080 So, we're in a series in the book of Mark. 00:02:23.420 --> 00:02:25.280 We're in Mark chapter 7. 00:02:25.280 --> 00:02:30.919 We're looking this morning at Mark 7, verses 24 through 30. 00:02:31.240 --> 00:02:33.159 I forgot to look that up in the Pew Bibles. 00:02:33.319 --> 00:02:34.680 Does anyone have a page number for me? 00:02:37.080 --> 00:02:37.479 791? 00:02:38.039 --> 00:02:38.460 Great. 00:02:38.620 --> 00:02:39.139 Thanks, Melissa. 00:02:39.520 --> 00:02:41.840 So, 791, if you're using the Pew Bibles, 00:02:42.099 --> 00:02:45.680 we're going to read this passage and pray together. 00:02:46.080 --> 00:02:47.800 As you're turning there, remember, 00:02:48.240 --> 00:02:52.719 Jesus has been preaching about the kingdom of God is at hand, 00:02:52.719 --> 00:02:55.240 and expressing that through his own ministry, 00:02:55.280 --> 00:02:57.780 to the people that he's around and with. 00:02:58.300 --> 00:03:02.939 And so, with that, let's go ahead and read our passage. 00:03:03.680 --> 00:03:07.180 This is Mark 7, starting in verse 24. 00:03:08.020 --> 00:03:12.580 And from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 00:03:13.500 --> 00:03:16.500 And he entered a house and did not want anyone to know, 00:03:17.360 --> 00:03:18.819 yet he could not be hidden. 00:03:19.319 --> 00:03:22.639 But immediately a woman, whose little daughter was possessed 00:03:22.639 --> 00:03:27.959 by an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell down at his feet. 00:03:28.459 --> 00:03:33.699 Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. 00:03:34.139 --> 00:03:37.000 And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 00:03:37.000 --> 00:03:39.759 And he said to her, 00:03:40.020 --> 00:03:42.020 let the children be fed first, 00:03:42.080 --> 00:03:45.740 for it's not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs. 00:03:46.860 --> 00:03:48.199 But she answered him, 00:03:48.560 --> 00:03:49.199 yes, Lord, 00:03:49.860 --> 00:03:52.560 even the dogs under the table eat, 00:03:53.020 --> 00:03:56.620 yet even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs. 00:03:57.460 --> 00:03:58.599 And he said to her, 00:03:59.000 --> 00:04:01.080 for this statement you may go your way. 00:04:01.080 --> 00:04:03.280 The demon has left your daughter. 00:04:03.800 --> 00:04:06.880 And she went home and found the child lying in bed, 00:04:07.520 --> 00:04:08.900 and the demon gone. 00:04:09.920 --> 00:04:11.260 Let's pray together. 00:04:12.560 --> 00:04:16.280 Lord Jesus, we come to you this morning and we ask for your help. 00:04:16.639 --> 00:04:18.920 We ask for your Holy Spirit to be with us. 00:04:19.500 --> 00:04:20.939 Lord, to enlighten our minds, 00:04:21.199 --> 00:04:22.340 to soften our hearts. 00:04:23.000 --> 00:04:24.080 Lord, so that we might understand 00:04:24.680 --> 00:04:27.400 and receive your word to us this morning. 00:04:27.399 --> 00:04:29.739 Lord, help me as I speak, 00:04:29.839 --> 00:04:31.179 that I would speak as I ought, 00:04:31.759 --> 00:04:34.779 and that we together would sit under your word today. 00:04:35.179 --> 00:04:36.639 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:04:37.459 --> 00:04:37.859 Amen. 00:04:39.379 --> 00:04:41.620 So as we continue through the Gospel of Mark, 00:04:41.699 --> 00:04:43.779 we're looking at these portraits of Jesus 00:04:43.779 --> 00:04:45.539 so that we might understand him 00:04:45.539 --> 00:04:48.500 and what the coming of the kingdom of God looks like more clearly. 00:04:48.939 --> 00:04:50.259 And today we have this, 00:04:50.839 --> 00:04:52.039 in my mind, 00:04:52.279 --> 00:04:53.459 unexpected account. 00:04:53.919 --> 00:04:54.899 We see Jesus 00:04:54.899 --> 00:04:57.299 in unexpected circumstances, 00:04:58.159 --> 00:05:01.259 we see Jesus responding in unexpected ways, 00:05:01.399 --> 00:05:04.759 and we hear Jesus affirm an unexpected faith. 00:05:05.339 --> 00:05:08.000 So there's your outline if you're a note taker. 00:05:08.759 --> 00:05:10.239 Unexpected circumstances, 00:05:10.899 --> 00:05:12.979 Jesus responding in unexpected ways, 00:05:13.259 --> 00:05:15.879 and affirming an unexpected faith. 00:05:16.179 --> 00:05:18.599 So let's just walk through this passage together. 00:05:19.500 --> 00:05:21.979 Jesus is in unexpected circumstances. 00:05:21.979 --> 00:05:25.339 This is the one place in the Gospel of Mark 00:05:25.339 --> 00:05:27.739 where Jesus actually departs from 00:05:27.739 --> 00:05:31.819 the primarily Jewish world of Israel. 00:05:32.159 --> 00:05:33.919 He goes to Tyre and Sidon, 00:05:34.259 --> 00:05:35.879 which if in your map, 00:05:36.079 --> 00:05:37.000 your mental map, 00:05:37.119 --> 00:05:37.879 here's Israel. 00:05:38.319 --> 00:05:39.859 Tyre and Sidon is modern-day Lebanon. 00:05:40.099 --> 00:05:41.959 So it's north and along the coast. 00:05:43.019 --> 00:05:43.539 Historically, 00:05:43.699 --> 00:05:46.279 this was a place of antagonism 00:05:46.279 --> 00:05:47.739 toward the Jewish people. 00:05:47.740 --> 00:05:49.000 This was the home, 00:05:49.280 --> 00:05:49.639 after all, 00:05:49.720 --> 00:05:50.519 of Jezebel, 00:05:50.900 --> 00:05:53.259 the wife of King Ahaz, 00:05:53.379 --> 00:05:54.439 who led the king 00:05:54.439 --> 00:05:56.800 of the northern tribes of Israel 00:05:56.800 --> 00:05:58.240 into idolatry 00:05:58.240 --> 00:05:59.360 and worship of Baal. 00:06:00.840 --> 00:06:01.480 Historically, 00:06:01.560 --> 00:06:02.360 it's also true 00:06:02.360 --> 00:06:03.439 that this was a place 00:06:03.439 --> 00:06:04.340 who, 00:06:05.240 --> 00:06:08.060 that allied with 00:06:08.060 --> 00:06:09.060 the opponents 00:06:09.060 --> 00:06:09.740 of the Maccabeans 00:06:10.439 --> 00:06:13.019 when the Maccabean Jewish people 00:06:13.019 --> 00:06:14.019 tried to revolt 00:06:14.019 --> 00:06:15.199 against the rule 00:06:15.199 --> 00:06:16.500 of the Seleucids, 00:06:16.599 --> 00:06:17.199 for those of you 00:06:17.199 --> 00:06:17.959 who know ancient 00:06:17.959 --> 00:06:19.039 Near Eastern history. 00:06:20.740 --> 00:06:22.419 So this was a place 00:06:22.419 --> 00:06:23.479 where the enemies 00:06:23.479 --> 00:06:26.379 of the people of Israel, 00:06:26.519 --> 00:06:27.500 the nation of Israel, 00:06:27.759 --> 00:06:28.120 lived. 00:06:28.579 --> 00:06:30.000 One commentator says, 00:06:30.379 --> 00:06:31.159 they represented 00:06:31.159 --> 00:06:32.680 the most extreme expression 00:06:32.680 --> 00:06:33.560 of paganism, 00:06:33.699 --> 00:06:34.019 both actually 00:06:34.560 --> 00:06:35.019 and symbolically, 00:06:36.299 --> 00:06:38.019 that a Jewish person 00:06:38.019 --> 00:06:39.079 could expect 00:06:39.079 --> 00:06:39.959 to encounter. 00:06:42.039 --> 00:06:43.899 Why did Jesus go there? 00:06:45.019 --> 00:06:45.740 Well, 00:06:45.979 --> 00:06:47.000 it seems like 00:06:47.000 --> 00:06:47.879 he went away 00:06:47.879 --> 00:06:49.539 to get away 00:06:49.539 --> 00:06:50.339 from the crowds 00:06:50.339 --> 00:06:51.060 and to be 00:06:51.060 --> 00:06:52.479 in an unknown place. 00:06:53.419 --> 00:06:54.379 He was hoping, 00:06:54.859 --> 00:06:55.240 remember, 00:06:55.399 --> 00:06:57.019 going back to chapter 6, 00:06:57.099 --> 00:06:57.699 verse 30, 00:06:57.859 --> 00:06:58.959 Jesus and his disciples 00:06:58.959 --> 00:06:59.699 have been trying 00:06:59.699 --> 00:07:00.419 to get away 00:07:00.419 --> 00:07:01.979 to a quiet place. 00:07:02.319 --> 00:07:02.779 They've gone 00:07:02.779 --> 00:07:03.500 into the wilderness 00:07:03.500 --> 00:07:04.779 twice and failed 00:07:04.779 --> 00:07:05.500 both times. 00:07:05.599 --> 00:07:06.539 The crowd found them 00:07:06.539 --> 00:07:07.180 both times. 00:07:07.500 --> 00:07:08.740 So now they decide, 00:07:09.039 --> 00:07:09.859 and I've done this, 00:07:10.060 --> 00:07:10.680 I'm going to go 00:07:10.680 --> 00:07:11.699 to a coffee shop 00:07:11.699 --> 00:07:12.359 in the middle 00:07:12.359 --> 00:07:13.699 of a really busy city 00:07:13.699 --> 00:07:14.759 where I don't think 00:07:14.759 --> 00:07:15.599 I know anyone 00:07:15.599 --> 00:07:16.519 because that's 00:07:16.519 --> 00:07:17.539 the best place 00:07:17.539 --> 00:07:18.339 to be anonymous 00:07:18.339 --> 00:07:19.539 and to hide. 00:07:20.060 --> 00:07:20.699 I think that's 00:07:20.699 --> 00:07:21.599 what Jesus is doing. 00:07:21.699 --> 00:07:22.899 It says he wanted 00:07:22.899 --> 00:07:23.459 to be hidden. 00:07:23.579 --> 00:07:24.379 He didn't want anyone 00:07:24.379 --> 00:07:25.439 to know where he was 00:07:25.439 --> 00:07:27.219 so that he could rest. 00:07:27.220 --> 00:07:29.800 And yet, 00:07:30.520 --> 00:07:32.400 as we see over and over again, 00:07:32.500 --> 00:07:33.940 Jesus plans to rest 00:07:33.940 --> 00:07:34.720 in that way, 00:07:35.080 --> 00:07:35.920 seem to be foiled 00:07:35.920 --> 00:07:37.160 by the sovereignty of God. 00:07:37.420 --> 00:07:39.140 And a woman walks in, 00:07:39.660 --> 00:07:41.680 and Mark makes very clear 00:07:41.680 --> 00:07:43.540 who this person is. 00:07:43.620 --> 00:07:44.540 It is a woman, 00:07:45.000 --> 00:07:46.040 a Gentile, 00:07:46.420 --> 00:07:47.660 a Syrophoenician. 00:07:48.660 --> 00:07:49.160 Again, 00:07:49.260 --> 00:07:49.820 a commentator. 00:07:50.020 --> 00:07:51.180 Of all the people 00:07:51.180 --> 00:07:52.240 who approach Jesus, 00:07:52.820 --> 00:07:54.520 this is the person most, 00:07:54.519 --> 00:07:56.039 this is the individual 00:07:56.039 --> 00:07:57.240 who has the most 00:07:57.240 --> 00:07:58.279 against her 00:07:58.279 --> 00:08:00.139 from a Jewish perspective. 00:08:01.500 --> 00:08:03.459 The cultural expectation 00:08:03.459 --> 00:08:04.419 was that Jesus 00:08:04.419 --> 00:08:06.459 wouldn't even see her, 00:08:06.939 --> 00:08:09.000 let alone respond to her. 00:08:10.699 --> 00:08:12.079 She comes in. 00:08:13.500 --> 00:08:15.219 She'd heard of what Jesus 00:08:15.219 --> 00:08:15.979 had been doing 00:08:15.979 --> 00:08:16.899 in other places. 00:08:18.079 --> 00:08:20.039 She falls on her knees 00:08:20.039 --> 00:08:20.639 before him, 00:08:20.680 --> 00:08:21.539 and she begs him, 00:08:21.659 --> 00:08:23.839 please help my little daughter. 00:08:24.519 --> 00:08:25.579 She has a demon. 00:08:25.979 --> 00:08:26.959 She needs help. 00:08:27.500 --> 00:08:28.259 She didn't know 00:08:28.259 --> 00:08:29.319 how he would respond. 00:08:30.199 --> 00:08:31.000 Did she hope 00:08:31.000 --> 00:08:33.460 that she would find grace? 00:08:33.600 --> 00:08:34.439 Did she fear 00:08:34.439 --> 00:08:36.000 that she would be rejected? 00:08:36.139 --> 00:08:37.159 Did she presume 00:08:37.159 --> 00:08:38.500 that because he'd done it, 00:08:38.699 --> 00:08:40.299 because Jesus had done 00:08:40.299 --> 00:08:41.639 these things in other places, 00:08:41.919 --> 00:08:43.360 he would do it here? 00:08:44.620 --> 00:08:45.799 The text doesn't say, 00:08:46.579 --> 00:08:47.899 but it seems like 00:08:47.899 --> 00:08:49.139 she came humbly, 00:08:50.299 --> 00:08:52.000 and she begged him for help. 00:08:52.000 --> 00:08:54.600 And this is the unexpected 00:08:54.600 --> 00:08:55.460 circumstances 00:08:55.460 --> 00:08:57.279 that Jesus finds himself in. 00:08:58.240 --> 00:08:59.960 How would Jesus respond? 00:09:01.659 --> 00:09:03.159 Look with me in verse 27. 00:09:04.700 --> 00:09:05.980 This is the striking part 00:09:05.980 --> 00:09:06.899 of the story, isn't it? 00:09:07.340 --> 00:09:08.799 This is not what you expect. 00:09:09.059 --> 00:09:10.340 And it's not what you expect 00:09:10.340 --> 00:09:12.039 because we've read other stories. 00:09:12.220 --> 00:09:13.659 People have come out of nowhere 00:09:13.659 --> 00:09:15.840 and encountered Jesus 00:09:15.840 --> 00:09:17.000 and engaged Jesus 00:09:17.000 --> 00:09:17.899 in remarkable ways. 00:09:18.179 --> 00:09:19.139 Remember the woman 00:09:19.139 --> 00:09:20.840 that interrupted Jesus 00:09:20.840 --> 00:09:21.899 going with Jairus 00:09:21.899 --> 00:09:22.980 to Jairus' house. 00:09:23.220 --> 00:09:25.039 The woman who was an outcast 00:09:25.039 --> 00:09:26.059 and unclean, 00:09:26.399 --> 00:09:27.620 though she was Jewish. 00:09:27.960 --> 00:09:29.080 And he stops 00:09:29.080 --> 00:09:30.199 and he cares for her 00:09:30.199 --> 00:09:30.960 with compassion. 00:09:31.460 --> 00:09:32.319 Remember Jesus 00:09:32.319 --> 00:09:33.600 encountering the man 00:09:33.600 --> 00:09:35.179 possessed by a demon 00:09:35.179 --> 00:09:36.500 in the Gerasene wilderness. 00:09:37.100 --> 00:09:38.240 How he comes to him 00:09:38.240 --> 00:09:39.199 with compassion 00:09:39.199 --> 00:09:40.419 and comfort. 00:09:41.299 --> 00:09:41.939 But here, 00:09:42.059 --> 00:09:43.500 it doesn't feel this way, 00:09:43.539 --> 00:09:44.059 does it? 00:09:44.919 --> 00:09:46.000 Jesus' response, 00:09:46.139 --> 00:09:47.919 let the children be fed first, 00:09:47.919 --> 00:09:49.039 for it's not right 00:09:49.039 --> 00:09:50.799 to take the children's bread 00:09:50.799 --> 00:09:52.240 and throw it to the dogs. 00:09:53.479 --> 00:09:55.839 It feels off-putting at best. 00:09:56.399 --> 00:09:57.539 What we fear 00:09:57.539 --> 00:09:58.899 that he's saying 00:09:58.899 --> 00:09:59.759 is things like, 00:10:00.219 --> 00:10:01.120 this woman is no better 00:10:01.120 --> 00:10:01.860 than a dog. 00:10:03.059 --> 00:10:04.399 And being dismissive 00:10:04.399 --> 00:10:06.360 and rude 00:10:06.360 --> 00:10:07.360 and shaming. 00:10:08.679 --> 00:10:10.099 Or at least looking at her 00:10:10.099 --> 00:10:10.339 and saying, 00:10:10.439 --> 00:10:11.360 as a Gentile, 00:10:11.620 --> 00:10:12.399 as an enemy 00:10:12.399 --> 00:10:13.879 of the people of God, 00:10:13.980 --> 00:10:14.959 I refuse you. 00:10:15.860 --> 00:10:17.219 That he's going to reject her. 00:10:17.220 --> 00:10:18.680 That's what it feels 00:10:18.680 --> 00:10:19.660 like he's saying. 00:10:20.800 --> 00:10:22.160 But are we right 00:10:22.160 --> 00:10:23.040 in that first 00:10:23.040 --> 00:10:24.100 uncomfortable read? 00:10:25.420 --> 00:10:26.340 Is that really 00:10:26.340 --> 00:10:27.340 what Jesus means? 00:10:28.519 --> 00:10:29.920 Let's look a little bit 00:10:29.920 --> 00:10:30.500 more carefully 00:10:30.500 --> 00:10:31.340 at what he's saying. 00:10:32.040 --> 00:10:33.040 Because what Jesus 00:10:33.040 --> 00:10:33.879 is doing here, 00:10:33.940 --> 00:10:34.779 I don't think 00:10:34.779 --> 00:10:35.519 is doing that. 00:10:36.279 --> 00:10:37.160 Jesus is using 00:10:37.160 --> 00:10:39.060 a figure of speech, 00:10:39.240 --> 00:10:40.019 a parable, 00:10:40.320 --> 00:10:40.960 so to speak, 00:10:41.139 --> 00:10:42.180 about the nature 00:10:42.180 --> 00:10:42.920 of families. 00:10:42.919 --> 00:10:44.719 He's saying 00:10:44.719 --> 00:10:45.779 there is a priority. 00:10:46.479 --> 00:10:47.279 When we sit down 00:10:47.279 --> 00:10:48.019 as a family, 00:10:48.219 --> 00:10:48.799 there is food 00:10:48.799 --> 00:10:49.439 on the table 00:10:49.439 --> 00:10:50.740 and it's for the children. 00:10:51.899 --> 00:10:52.199 Right? 00:10:53.299 --> 00:10:53.959 And the food 00:10:53.959 --> 00:10:55.000 that's on the table 00:10:55.000 --> 00:10:56.679 should not be removed 00:10:56.679 --> 00:10:57.459 from the children 00:10:57.459 --> 00:10:58.899 and put on the floor 00:10:58.899 --> 00:11:00.759 for other people 00:11:00.759 --> 00:11:01.679 in the family, 00:11:01.799 --> 00:11:02.919 the dogs of the family, 00:11:02.919 --> 00:11:04.019 who live under it. 00:11:04.299 --> 00:11:05.439 The word dog here 00:11:05.439 --> 00:11:07.360 is a pretty unique word 00:11:07.360 --> 00:11:08.559 in the New Testament. 00:11:08.860 --> 00:11:10.559 It is not the normal word 00:11:10.559 --> 00:11:11.119 for dogs 00:11:11.119 --> 00:11:12.479 and you see in other places 00:11:12.479 --> 00:11:13.479 where you see dog 00:11:13.479 --> 00:11:14.739 used as an epithet 00:11:14.739 --> 00:11:15.459 towards people 00:11:15.459 --> 00:11:16.000 in the Bible. 00:11:17.539 --> 00:11:18.519 Where you see it 00:11:18.519 --> 00:11:19.000 being used 00:11:19.000 --> 00:11:20.359 as a derogatory term 00:11:20.359 --> 00:11:22.119 like you're a street dog 00:11:22.119 --> 00:11:23.119 that eats the garbage 00:11:23.119 --> 00:11:24.639 and feeds on corpses 00:11:24.639 --> 00:11:26.259 and this is the vision 00:11:26.259 --> 00:11:27.679 that some rabbis 00:11:27.679 --> 00:11:28.479 had of dogs 00:11:28.479 --> 00:11:30.219 more generally 00:11:30.219 --> 00:11:30.639 in the world. 00:11:30.739 --> 00:11:31.339 But this word 00:11:31.339 --> 00:11:32.339 is a different word 00:11:32.339 --> 00:11:32.919 than that. 00:11:34.399 --> 00:11:35.239 It's the word 00:11:35.239 --> 00:11:36.299 for foofy. 00:11:37.099 --> 00:11:37.259 You know? 00:11:37.779 --> 00:11:38.519 The dog 00:11:38.519 --> 00:11:39.579 that sits on your lap. 00:11:40.559 --> 00:11:41.259 Every day 00:11:41.259 --> 00:11:44.779 for a beloved family pet 00:11:44.779 --> 00:11:45.579 who is a part 00:11:45.579 --> 00:11:46.339 of the family. 00:11:48.419 --> 00:11:50.079 And listen carefully 00:11:50.079 --> 00:11:51.199 what Jesus says. 00:11:51.819 --> 00:11:52.359 He says, 00:11:52.699 --> 00:11:53.899 it's not that the food 00:11:53.899 --> 00:11:55.459 never gets to the dog 00:11:55.459 --> 00:11:57.119 but there is a priority here. 00:11:57.939 --> 00:12:00.379 There is a kingdom pattern here. 00:12:01.719 --> 00:12:02.719 Both the children 00:12:02.719 --> 00:12:03.659 and the dogs 00:12:03.659 --> 00:12:04.859 are a part of the family. 00:12:05.119 --> 00:12:05.719 Both of them 00:12:05.719 --> 00:12:07.559 are loved 00:12:08.079 --> 00:12:09.519 but they are different. 00:12:09.519 --> 00:12:11.840 there is a distinction made. 00:12:12.860 --> 00:12:13.819 And Jesus here 00:12:13.819 --> 00:12:14.600 seems to be using 00:12:14.600 --> 00:12:15.439 this parable 00:12:15.439 --> 00:12:16.699 to talk about 00:12:16.699 --> 00:12:17.740 a broad theme 00:12:17.740 --> 00:12:18.419 of the Bible 00:12:18.419 --> 00:12:19.579 where there is 00:12:19.579 --> 00:12:20.600 a kingdom pattern 00:12:20.600 --> 00:12:22.039 of the Jews first 00:12:22.039 --> 00:12:23.860 and then the Gentiles. 00:12:25.500 --> 00:12:26.759 Why do I say this? 00:12:26.879 --> 00:12:27.120 Well, 00:12:27.419 --> 00:12:28.319 go all the way back 00:12:28.319 --> 00:12:29.340 to Genesis 12. 00:12:29.439 --> 00:12:30.460 The very beginning. 00:12:31.179 --> 00:12:32.720 God comes to Abraham. 00:12:33.039 --> 00:12:33.360 He says, 00:12:33.360 --> 00:12:34.320 I'm calling you 00:12:34.320 --> 00:12:35.180 to be the father 00:12:35.180 --> 00:12:36.240 of a great nation 00:12:36.240 --> 00:12:37.480 and I will bless you 00:12:37.480 --> 00:12:38.480 and I will make you 00:12:38.480 --> 00:12:39.580 into a great nation. 00:12:39.700 --> 00:12:40.320 Your children 00:12:40.320 --> 00:12:40.879 will be 00:12:40.879 --> 00:12:42.240 the Jewish people, 00:12:42.379 --> 00:12:43.440 the people of God 00:12:43.440 --> 00:12:44.919 and I will bless them 00:12:44.919 --> 00:12:45.960 and I will make them 00:12:45.960 --> 00:12:46.680 a blessing. 00:12:47.379 --> 00:12:47.700 Right? 00:12:48.379 --> 00:12:49.120 In you 00:12:49.120 --> 00:12:50.279 all the families 00:12:50.279 --> 00:12:50.980 of the earth 00:12:50.980 --> 00:12:52.080 will be blessed. 00:12:53.039 --> 00:12:53.720 And so God 00:12:53.720 --> 00:12:55.060 chooses one man 00:12:55.060 --> 00:12:55.460 to show 00:12:55.460 --> 00:12:57.360 his particular grace to, 00:12:57.680 --> 00:12:58.680 one people 00:12:58.680 --> 00:12:59.200 to show 00:12:59.200 --> 00:13:01.000 his particular grace to, 00:13:01.000 --> 00:13:02.419 but also 00:13:02.419 --> 00:13:03.240 more importantly 00:13:03.240 --> 00:13:03.860 through. 00:13:04.240 --> 00:13:05.379 So it's not just 00:13:05.379 --> 00:13:06.139 terminal 00:13:06.139 --> 00:13:07.159 in his love 00:13:07.159 --> 00:13:07.980 for his family, 00:13:08.299 --> 00:13:09.720 this people of God, 00:13:09.840 --> 00:13:10.980 but through them 00:13:10.980 --> 00:13:12.679 to all the families 00:13:12.679 --> 00:13:13.360 of the earth. 00:13:14.480 --> 00:13:16.139 And so this is the story 00:13:16.139 --> 00:13:17.259 of the whole Old Testament. 00:13:17.639 --> 00:13:18.980 God raising up a people 00:13:18.980 --> 00:13:20.179 to display his glory 00:13:20.179 --> 00:13:21.019 and to be a blessing 00:13:21.019 --> 00:13:21.879 to the whole world. 00:13:22.059 --> 00:13:22.659 And we know 00:13:22.659 --> 00:13:23.620 when we read the Old Testament 00:13:23.620 --> 00:13:24.279 that they failed 00:13:24.279 --> 00:13:25.580 miserably about it. 00:13:25.860 --> 00:13:27.559 So we get to Isaiah 49 00:13:27.559 --> 00:13:29.039 where the people of God 00:13:29.039 --> 00:13:30.460 have completely blown it 00:13:30.460 --> 00:13:31.360 and are facing 00:13:31.360 --> 00:13:32.320 God's judgment 00:13:32.320 --> 00:13:34.379 and God comes along 00:13:34.379 --> 00:13:34.900 and he says, 00:13:35.379 --> 00:13:36.100 I'm not done. 00:13:36.580 --> 00:13:37.500 I'm going to raise up 00:13:37.500 --> 00:13:38.240 from among you 00:13:38.240 --> 00:13:38.840 a servant, 00:13:39.200 --> 00:13:40.139 one whom I'm going 00:13:40.139 --> 00:13:40.840 to send. 00:13:41.600 --> 00:13:42.759 Says it is too light 00:13:42.759 --> 00:13:43.460 a thing that you 00:13:43.460 --> 00:13:44.360 should be my servant 00:13:44.360 --> 00:13:45.139 to raise up 00:13:45.139 --> 00:13:46.259 the tribes of Jacob 00:13:46.259 --> 00:13:47.220 and to bring back 00:13:47.220 --> 00:13:48.639 the preserved of Israel. 00:13:49.460 --> 00:13:50.700 He is going to do that, 00:13:50.860 --> 00:13:51.980 but more than that, 00:13:52.139 --> 00:13:53.000 I will make you 00:13:53.000 --> 00:13:54.180 a light for the nations 00:13:54.180 --> 00:13:55.259 that my salvation 00:13:55.259 --> 00:13:55.900 may reach 00:13:55.900 --> 00:13:56.740 to the ends 00:13:56.740 --> 00:13:57.900 of the earth. 00:13:57.899 --> 00:14:01.559 And so God comes in 00:14:01.559 --> 00:14:02.319 and he says, 00:14:02.600 --> 00:14:03.340 throughout the Old Testament 00:14:03.340 --> 00:14:04.220 there is this plan 00:14:04.220 --> 00:14:05.699 through this people 00:14:05.699 --> 00:14:07.079 to the whole world. 00:14:07.600 --> 00:14:09.139 And even in the Gospels, 00:14:09.299 --> 00:14:10.319 even as Jesus 00:14:10.319 --> 00:14:11.480 begins his ministry, 00:14:11.759 --> 00:14:13.139 he does this as well. 00:14:13.519 --> 00:14:14.600 In Matthew 10 00:14:14.600 --> 00:14:15.679 verses 5 and 6 00:14:15.679 --> 00:14:16.860 when Jesus sends out 00:14:16.860 --> 00:14:17.620 his disciples, 00:14:18.379 --> 00:14:19.000 he says, 00:14:19.699 --> 00:14:21.220 go nowhere 00:14:21.220 --> 00:14:22.439 among the Gentiles 00:14:22.439 --> 00:14:23.539 and enter no town 00:14:23.539 --> 00:14:24.379 of the Samaritans, 00:14:24.439 --> 00:14:25.279 but go rather 00:14:25.279 --> 00:14:26.399 to the lost sheep 00:14:26.399 --> 00:14:27.740 of the house 00:14:27.740 --> 00:14:28.419 of Israel. 00:14:28.959 --> 00:14:29.740 Jesus started 00:14:29.740 --> 00:14:30.360 his mission 00:14:30.360 --> 00:14:31.579 as a Jewish man 00:14:31.579 --> 00:14:32.620 to his people, 00:14:32.720 --> 00:14:33.659 the Jewish people. 00:14:34.360 --> 00:14:35.179 It was never 00:14:35.179 --> 00:14:36.120 the end goal, 00:14:36.220 --> 00:14:36.620 but it was 00:14:36.620 --> 00:14:37.779 the starting place 00:14:37.779 --> 00:14:38.980 for how he was 00:14:38.980 --> 00:14:39.899 going to do this. 00:14:41.279 --> 00:14:42.339 That God would work 00:14:42.339 --> 00:14:44.240 through the Jewish people 00:14:44.240 --> 00:14:48.399 to bless the whole world. 00:14:49.339 --> 00:14:49.759 Now, 00:14:49.839 --> 00:14:50.959 why does he do this? 00:14:50.960 --> 00:14:52.879 Well, 00:14:52.980 --> 00:14:53.200 friends, 00:14:53.259 --> 00:14:53.700 there are times 00:14:53.700 --> 00:14:54.300 when we are 00:14:54.300 --> 00:14:55.540 standing on the brink 00:14:55.540 --> 00:14:56.759 of the mysteries of God. 00:14:57.980 --> 00:14:59.440 But if I could propose 00:14:59.440 --> 00:15:00.379 a few thoughts, 00:15:00.720 --> 00:15:01.720 I have two of them. 00:15:02.180 --> 00:15:02.580 One 00:15:02.580 --> 00:15:03.920 is that he's going, 00:15:04.080 --> 00:15:05.139 he wants to do this 00:15:05.139 --> 00:15:06.820 to show the particularity 00:15:06.820 --> 00:15:07.519 of his love. 00:15:08.040 --> 00:15:10.100 When he chooses Abraham, 00:15:10.340 --> 00:15:11.100 when he chooses 00:15:11.100 --> 00:15:12.060 a Jewish people, 00:15:12.700 --> 00:15:12.860 right, 00:15:12.980 --> 00:15:14.200 Deuteronomy reminds us 00:15:14.200 --> 00:15:15.200 that it's not because 00:15:15.200 --> 00:15:16.280 they were particularly 00:15:16.280 --> 00:15:17.480 holy or special 00:15:17.480 --> 00:15:18.320 or large 00:15:18.320 --> 00:15:19.200 or powerful 00:15:19.200 --> 00:15:19.980 or anything, 00:15:20.580 --> 00:15:22.040 but so that he might 00:15:22.040 --> 00:15:23.860 display the particularity 00:15:23.860 --> 00:15:24.600 of his love 00:15:24.600 --> 00:15:26.020 so that those 00:15:26.020 --> 00:15:26.759 who receive it 00:15:26.759 --> 00:15:27.320 might know. 00:15:27.440 --> 00:15:28.740 It's not this vague 00:15:28.740 --> 00:15:29.720 general sense 00:15:29.720 --> 00:15:30.420 that the universe 00:15:30.420 --> 00:15:31.420 has a well-being 00:15:31.420 --> 00:15:32.160 towards you, 00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:33.340 but it's a particular 00:15:33.340 --> 00:15:35.020 love of a personal God 00:15:35.020 --> 00:15:36.640 towards his people. 00:15:38.879 --> 00:15:39.940 And secondly, 00:15:40.440 --> 00:15:41.780 it's for humility. 00:15:42.980 --> 00:15:43.860 When in that 00:15:43.860 --> 00:15:45.020 Deuteronomy passage, 00:15:45.240 --> 00:15:46.900 God is reminding 00:15:46.899 --> 00:15:48.699 the people of Israel 00:15:48.699 --> 00:15:49.720 through Moses, 00:15:50.279 --> 00:15:51.799 I chose you 00:15:51.799 --> 00:15:52.679 not because 00:15:52.679 --> 00:15:53.759 you had anything 00:15:53.759 --> 00:15:54.340 in you 00:15:54.340 --> 00:15:55.319 that was particularly 00:15:55.319 --> 00:15:56.000 lovely 00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:57.019 or that you could 00:15:57.019 --> 00:15:58.360 ever earn this. 00:15:58.559 --> 00:15:59.699 You didn't deserve 00:15:59.699 --> 00:16:00.579 my love. 00:16:00.959 --> 00:16:02.059 You didn't earn 00:16:02.059 --> 00:16:02.959 my love. 00:16:03.299 --> 00:16:04.439 You didn't gain it 00:16:04.439 --> 00:16:05.539 because you were, 00:16:05.899 --> 00:16:07.240 met some standard 00:16:07.240 --> 00:16:08.000 of mine. 00:16:08.539 --> 00:16:09.679 It was purely 00:16:09.679 --> 00:16:10.579 of grace. 00:16:12.159 --> 00:16:12.539 And so, 00:16:12.679 --> 00:16:13.620 you must know 00:16:13.620 --> 00:16:15.560 the walk 00:16:15.560 --> 00:16:16.360 of humility 00:16:16.360 --> 00:16:17.539 to receive it. 00:16:17.820 --> 00:16:18.679 To receive it 00:16:18.679 --> 00:16:19.379 not because 00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:20.080 you've done anything 00:16:20.080 --> 00:16:20.740 to earn it 00:16:20.740 --> 00:16:22.159 or to achieve it, 00:16:22.360 --> 00:16:23.159 but simply 00:16:23.159 --> 00:16:24.299 because I have chosen 00:16:24.299 --> 00:16:25.980 to give it to you. 00:16:28.879 --> 00:16:29.560 And so, 00:16:29.639 --> 00:16:30.560 this is the pattern. 00:16:31.639 --> 00:16:32.080 And Jesus' 00:16:32.240 --> 00:16:32.980 little parable 00:16:32.980 --> 00:16:33.820 about the way 00:16:33.820 --> 00:16:34.980 families work 00:16:34.980 --> 00:16:38.299 is to confront 00:16:38.299 --> 00:16:39.000 this woman 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:40.700 with this reality 00:16:40.700 --> 00:16:42.520 because Jesus 00:16:42.520 --> 00:16:43.400 is outside 00:16:43.400 --> 00:16:45.320 of the initial circle 00:16:45.320 --> 00:16:46.660 for the first time. 00:16:47.400 --> 00:16:48.140 But notice 00:16:48.140 --> 00:16:48.800 that Jesus 00:16:48.800 --> 00:16:49.900 is very careful 00:16:49.900 --> 00:16:50.300 in the way, 00:16:50.520 --> 00:16:51.320 look back with me 00:16:51.320 --> 00:16:52.420 in verse 27 again. 00:16:52.500 --> 00:16:53.160 I want you to look 00:16:53.160 --> 00:16:53.500 with me. 00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:54.700 Let the children 00:16:54.700 --> 00:16:56.280 be fed first 00:16:56.280 --> 00:16:58.180 for it is not right 00:16:58.180 --> 00:16:59.759 to take the children's bread 00:16:59.759 --> 00:17:00.840 and throw it 00:17:00.840 --> 00:17:02.120 to the dogs. 00:17:03.800 --> 00:17:04.080 Right? 00:17:04.259 --> 00:17:04.779 The children 00:17:04.779 --> 00:17:06.380 are to be fed first, 00:17:06.480 --> 00:17:07.380 not the children 00:17:07.380 --> 00:17:08.200 are to be fed 00:17:08.200 --> 00:17:08.880 only. 00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:09.860 Right? 00:17:09.859 --> 00:17:11.079 Not that the dogs 00:17:11.079 --> 00:17:11.679 are meant to be 00:17:11.679 --> 00:17:12.939 put out of the room 00:17:12.939 --> 00:17:13.939 and would never 00:17:13.939 --> 00:17:15.319 gain from this, 00:17:15.399 --> 00:17:15.839 but that there 00:17:15.839 --> 00:17:16.819 is a priority 00:17:16.819 --> 00:17:19.099 that Jesus 00:17:19.099 --> 00:17:20.099 is saying here 00:17:20.099 --> 00:17:21.000 about how 00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:22.279 his kingdom works. 00:17:24.019 --> 00:17:24.959 That she has 00:17:24.959 --> 00:17:26.000 no claim on him. 00:17:26.539 --> 00:17:27.619 She has no grounds 00:17:27.619 --> 00:17:28.699 to seek his mercy. 00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:30.219 He is not being 00:17:30.219 --> 00:17:30.699 demeaning 00:17:30.699 --> 00:17:31.599 or rude. 00:17:32.339 --> 00:17:32.979 He is trying 00:17:32.979 --> 00:17:33.699 to reveal 00:17:33.699 --> 00:17:34.919 something in her. 00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:36.339 So, 00:17:36.479 --> 00:17:37.459 this is Jesus 00:17:37.460 --> 00:17:40.980 unexpected response 00:17:40.980 --> 00:17:42.600 that challenges us. 00:17:42.880 --> 00:17:43.880 What is he doing? 00:17:47.160 --> 00:17:47.680 Ultimately, 00:17:47.880 --> 00:17:48.220 I think 00:17:48.220 --> 00:17:49.039 he's trying 00:17:49.039 --> 00:17:49.519 to reveal 00:17:49.519 --> 00:17:50.340 something in her. 00:17:51.019 --> 00:17:51.440 And this is 00:17:51.440 --> 00:17:52.160 our third point. 00:17:53.039 --> 00:17:53.559 From this 00:17:53.559 --> 00:17:54.400 unexpected word 00:17:54.400 --> 00:17:55.120 from Jesus, 00:17:55.539 --> 00:17:56.539 he reveals 00:17:56.539 --> 00:17:58.000 an unexpected faith 00:17:58.000 --> 00:17:58.799 in this woman. 00:17:59.319 --> 00:18:00.480 Because the woman's 00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:01.819 response shows us 00:18:01.819 --> 00:18:04.279 that she understands 00:18:04.279 --> 00:18:05.240 what Jesus is saying 00:18:05.240 --> 00:18:05.840 far better 00:18:05.839 --> 00:18:06.519 than we do. 00:18:07.119 --> 00:18:08.500 She is not offended. 00:18:08.740 --> 00:18:09.000 Instead, 00:18:09.159 --> 00:18:09.879 she engages 00:18:09.879 --> 00:18:10.859 with his words. 00:18:11.379 --> 00:18:13.139 She recognizes it 00:18:13.139 --> 00:18:13.839 and is willing 00:18:13.839 --> 00:18:15.099 to affirm the order 00:18:15.099 --> 00:18:15.939 and the distinction 00:18:15.939 --> 00:18:17.059 that Jesus is making. 00:18:17.199 --> 00:18:17.539 She says, 00:18:17.659 --> 00:18:18.459 I know I don't have 00:18:18.459 --> 00:18:19.119 a right to sit 00:18:19.119 --> 00:18:19.720 at the table. 00:18:20.019 --> 00:18:20.819 I'm a Gentile, 00:18:20.899 --> 00:18:21.919 not an Israelite. 00:18:22.240 --> 00:18:23.059 I know I don't 00:18:23.059 --> 00:18:23.639 deserve this. 00:18:23.699 --> 00:18:24.059 And yet, 00:18:24.199 --> 00:18:24.539 thirdly, 00:18:24.579 --> 00:18:25.359 you see that she 00:18:25.359 --> 00:18:26.099 has faith. 00:18:26.639 --> 00:18:27.339 Isn't the kingdom 00:18:27.339 --> 00:18:28.259 of God a feast 00:18:28.259 --> 00:18:29.859 that will feed us too? 00:18:30.619 --> 00:18:31.759 Isn't there a blessing, 00:18:31.919 --> 00:18:32.500 a crumb 00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:33.679 of your kingdom 00:18:33.680 --> 00:18:35.580 that I can get 00:18:35.580 --> 00:18:36.140 as well? 00:18:37.700 --> 00:18:38.460 R.C. Sproul 00:18:38.460 --> 00:18:40.580 said it this way 00:18:40.580 --> 00:18:41.000 and I thought 00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:41.519 this was just 00:18:41.519 --> 00:18:42.240 so well said. 00:18:42.700 --> 00:18:43.360 So forgive me 00:18:43.360 --> 00:18:44.320 for preaching his words 00:18:44.320 --> 00:18:45.080 for a minute here. 00:18:46.120 --> 00:18:47.060 She didn't stand up 00:18:47.060 --> 00:18:47.519 and protest 00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:48.039 and say, 00:18:48.220 --> 00:18:49.680 how dare you insult me 00:18:49.680 --> 00:18:50.440 and speak to me 00:18:50.440 --> 00:18:51.560 as if I were a dog 00:18:51.560 --> 00:18:53.019 even if it's a household pet. 00:18:53.220 --> 00:18:54.220 I'm no dog, 00:18:54.299 --> 00:18:54.880 I'm a woman. 00:18:56.019 --> 00:18:57.680 That was not her response. 00:18:58.620 --> 00:19:00.039 Her response was, 00:19:00.160 --> 00:19:00.720 yes, Lord, 00:19:01.060 --> 00:19:01.740 I understand. 00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:03.920 I have no prior claim 00:19:03.920 --> 00:19:04.599 to your mercy. 00:19:04.960 --> 00:19:06.000 I am not numbered 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:06.819 among your children. 00:19:07.079 --> 00:19:08.200 I can't jump up 00:19:08.200 --> 00:19:08.839 on the table 00:19:08.839 --> 00:19:10.099 and feast upon the food 00:19:10.099 --> 00:19:10.759 that you've set 00:19:10.759 --> 00:19:11.680 before your children. 00:19:12.319 --> 00:19:13.539 I don't want that. 00:19:14.059 --> 00:19:14.920 I'm satisfied, 00:19:15.279 --> 00:19:15.420 Lord, 00:19:15.819 --> 00:19:16.700 with the crumbs. 00:19:17.339 --> 00:19:18.279 All I'm asking 00:19:18.279 --> 00:19:19.519 is that you would 00:19:19.519 --> 00:19:21.240 just let one crumb 00:19:21.240 --> 00:19:22.940 that falls from your table 00:19:22.940 --> 00:19:23.940 come into my mouth 00:19:23.940 --> 00:19:25.720 and I'm satisfied. 00:19:26.799 --> 00:19:28.019 Heal my daughter, 00:19:28.220 --> 00:19:28.579 please. 00:19:29.140 --> 00:19:30.099 I know she's not 00:19:30.099 --> 00:19:30.660 in your family. 00:19:30.660 --> 00:19:31.660 I know she's not numbered 00:19:31.660 --> 00:19:32.480 among your children. 00:19:33.360 --> 00:19:34.080 We are the dogs 00:19:34.080 --> 00:19:35.140 who wait for the crumbs, 00:19:35.800 --> 00:19:36.920 but one crumb 00:19:36.920 --> 00:19:39.779 is all I'm asking for. 00:19:41.019 --> 00:19:43.160 What Jesus challenged 00:19:43.160 --> 00:19:43.800 to her, 00:19:43.980 --> 00:19:45.140 reveals in her 00:19:45.140 --> 00:19:47.100 is both humility 00:19:47.100 --> 00:19:48.860 and faith. 00:19:50.480 --> 00:19:52.279 This is what we see in her. 00:19:54.060 --> 00:19:55.019 One of the reasons 00:19:55.019 --> 00:19:56.420 why I think this is so important 00:19:56.420 --> 00:19:57.320 is the context. 00:19:58.080 --> 00:19:59.220 Remember what Pastor Nick 00:19:59.220 --> 00:20:00.180 preached on last week, 00:20:00.180 --> 00:20:00.860 and if you weren't here, 00:20:00.940 --> 00:20:01.820 let me summarize it. 00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:04.220 In verses 1 through 23, 00:20:04.600 --> 00:20:06.060 Jesus encounters 00:20:06.060 --> 00:20:07.440 the Jewish leadership, 00:20:07.620 --> 00:20:08.299 the Pharisees 00:20:08.299 --> 00:20:09.460 and the rulers 00:20:09.460 --> 00:20:10.360 of the temple, 00:20:10.620 --> 00:20:12.039 and he challenges them. 00:20:12.120 --> 00:20:12.480 He says, 00:20:12.680 --> 00:20:13.660 you think that 00:20:13.660 --> 00:20:14.980 because of your pedigree, 00:20:15.340 --> 00:20:16.539 because of your righteousness, 00:20:16.779 --> 00:20:18.060 because of your external 00:20:18.060 --> 00:20:19.320 religious living, 00:20:19.320 --> 00:20:20.740 you have a right 00:20:20.740 --> 00:20:22.460 to sit at the table of God. 00:20:22.460 --> 00:20:22.500 God, 00:20:23.299 --> 00:20:27.120 he confronts them 00:20:27.120 --> 00:20:28.400 because they saw themselves 00:20:28.400 --> 00:20:29.420 as insiders 00:20:29.420 --> 00:20:31.019 that had a stake 00:20:31.019 --> 00:20:33.019 and a presumption 00:20:33.019 --> 00:20:34.019 that they were going 00:20:34.019 --> 00:20:34.700 to be blessed 00:20:34.700 --> 00:20:35.480 by the kingdom. 00:20:37.059 --> 00:20:38.880 And in contrast to this, 00:20:38.880 --> 00:20:39.880 as he confronts that, 00:20:39.940 --> 00:20:40.240 he says, 00:20:40.559 --> 00:20:41.480 no, it's instead 00:20:41.480 --> 00:20:42.819 the nature of the heart 00:20:42.819 --> 00:20:43.960 that is most important. 00:20:44.299 --> 00:20:45.160 It's the heart 00:20:45.160 --> 00:20:45.960 that I look at, 00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:47.340 not the externals. 00:20:47.339 --> 00:20:52.259 And so what I see here 00:20:52.259 --> 00:20:52.859 is that Mark 00:20:52.859 --> 00:20:54.379 puts these stories together 00:20:54.379 --> 00:20:55.299 so that we see 00:20:55.299 --> 00:20:56.359 Jesus turning 00:20:56.359 --> 00:20:57.459 from this rebuke 00:20:57.459 --> 00:20:58.519 on the insiders 00:20:58.519 --> 00:21:00.039 to this welcoming 00:21:00.039 --> 00:21:01.220 of the outsider 00:21:01.220 --> 00:21:04.059 because he sees 00:21:04.059 --> 00:21:05.079 her heart of faith. 00:21:06.019 --> 00:21:08.059 He has not turned her away. 00:21:09.939 --> 00:21:11.419 He has clarified 00:21:11.419 --> 00:21:13.319 so that everyone knows, 00:21:13.779 --> 00:21:15.099 so that she knows 00:21:15.099 --> 00:21:18.559 and her faith 00:21:18.559 --> 00:21:19.339 is rewarded. 00:21:20.859 --> 00:21:22.099 When you read this story, 00:21:22.179 --> 00:21:23.539 it's almost the throwaway 00:21:23.539 --> 00:21:24.799 for this statement. 00:21:24.959 --> 00:21:25.799 You may go your way. 00:21:25.980 --> 00:21:26.719 The demon has left 00:21:26.719 --> 00:21:27.199 your daughter. 00:21:27.799 --> 00:21:28.439 He heals her 00:21:28.439 --> 00:21:29.319 just like he has 00:21:29.319 --> 00:21:30.279 so many others 00:21:30.279 --> 00:21:31.599 throughout the gospel 00:21:31.599 --> 00:21:32.159 of Mark. 00:21:32.879 --> 00:21:33.519 And if you're wondering 00:21:33.519 --> 00:21:34.219 what in the world 00:21:34.219 --> 00:21:35.259 casting out demons 00:21:35.259 --> 00:21:36.419 and healing people like, 00:21:36.799 --> 00:21:38.159 go back and listen 00:21:38.159 --> 00:21:39.359 to our whole sermon series 00:21:39.359 --> 00:21:40.480 because we've talked 00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:41.639 about that a couple of times. 00:21:41.719 --> 00:21:42.240 So I'm not going 00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:44.379 to dwell on this today. 00:21:45.099 --> 00:21:47.500 But what it does mean 00:21:47.500 --> 00:21:48.639 is that the kingdom of God 00:21:48.639 --> 00:21:49.939 that you came here 00:21:49.939 --> 00:21:51.559 afraid that you might 00:21:51.559 --> 00:21:52.240 be rejected, 00:21:52.759 --> 00:21:53.799 uncertain as to how 00:21:53.799 --> 00:21:54.899 you would be received, 00:21:56.459 --> 00:21:57.039 Jesus says, 00:21:57.240 --> 00:21:57.899 the kingdom of God 00:21:57.899 --> 00:21:59.559 has come to your household today. 00:22:00.119 --> 00:22:01.839 The kingdom of God 00:22:01.839 --> 00:22:03.139 has come to your daughter 00:22:03.139 --> 00:22:05.159 today by faith. 00:22:07.059 --> 00:22:07.779 And friends, 00:22:07.859 --> 00:22:09.159 is this not what we see? 00:22:10.179 --> 00:22:11.339 Is this not what we see 00:22:11.339 --> 00:22:12.359 in the rest of Scripture? 00:22:12.359 --> 00:22:13.719 For we know that 00:22:13.719 --> 00:22:15.119 after Jesus' death 00:22:15.119 --> 00:22:15.919 and resurrection, 00:22:16.099 --> 00:22:16.879 the kingdom of God 00:22:16.879 --> 00:22:17.759 looks different 00:22:17.759 --> 00:22:19.919 in new and particular ways. 00:22:21.000 --> 00:22:21.199 Right? 00:22:21.419 --> 00:22:22.659 So God comes 00:22:22.659 --> 00:22:23.799 to the apostle Peter 00:22:23.799 --> 00:22:24.539 in Acts 10 00:22:24.539 --> 00:22:25.679 and reveals to him 00:22:25.679 --> 00:22:27.179 that what he declares 00:22:27.179 --> 00:22:28.459 clean is clean. 00:22:28.659 --> 00:22:29.379 And he declares 00:22:29.379 --> 00:22:30.419 all food's clean. 00:22:30.500 --> 00:22:31.399 And he breaks down 00:22:31.399 --> 00:22:32.059 the barriers 00:22:32.059 --> 00:22:33.519 and the distinguishing marks 00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:34.879 of the Jewish people. 00:22:34.939 --> 00:22:35.279 And he says, 00:22:35.639 --> 00:22:36.439 in this new, 00:22:36.559 --> 00:22:37.479 post-resurrection 00:22:37.479 --> 00:22:39.379 people of God, 00:22:39.380 --> 00:22:40.940 the thing that matters 00:22:40.940 --> 00:22:43.080 is faith in me only, 00:22:43.500 --> 00:22:44.620 not the law, 00:22:44.800 --> 00:22:46.020 not the keeping of the law 00:22:46.020 --> 00:22:47.200 because Jesus has come 00:22:47.200 --> 00:22:48.400 to fulfill the law 00:22:48.400 --> 00:22:49.980 and to then bring the law 00:22:49.980 --> 00:22:51.160 into our hearts. 00:22:54.640 --> 00:22:56.260 And so he reveals this 00:22:56.260 --> 00:22:57.140 so that Jews 00:22:57.140 --> 00:22:58.260 as well as Gentiles 00:22:58.260 --> 00:22:59.260 have access 00:22:59.260 --> 00:23:01.560 to the kingdom of God 00:23:01.560 --> 00:23:03.360 without distinction. 00:23:03.800 --> 00:23:05.080 And so the apostle Paul 00:23:05.080 --> 00:23:05.760 as he writes 00:23:05.760 --> 00:23:07.860 to the mostly Gentile 00:23:07.859 --> 00:23:09.219 Roman church 00:23:09.219 --> 00:23:10.559 in Romans 1 00:23:10.559 --> 00:23:10.839 says, 00:23:10.959 --> 00:23:11.740 I am not ashamed 00:23:11.740 --> 00:23:12.379 of the gospel 00:23:12.379 --> 00:23:13.679 for it is the power 00:23:13.679 --> 00:23:15.259 of God unto salvation 00:23:15.259 --> 00:23:16.399 for everyone 00:23:16.399 --> 00:23:17.899 who believes. 00:23:18.659 --> 00:23:19.740 Now, first to the Jew, 00:23:19.839 --> 00:23:20.779 then to the Gentile, 00:23:20.879 --> 00:23:22.259 the order still continues. 00:23:22.699 --> 00:23:23.759 There's still this sense 00:23:23.759 --> 00:23:25.119 that even now today 00:23:25.119 --> 00:23:26.500 the church is built 00:23:26.500 --> 00:23:27.459 on the foundation. 00:23:27.659 --> 00:23:28.779 As Romans 11 says, 00:23:29.459 --> 00:23:30.079 those of us 00:23:30.079 --> 00:23:30.579 who don't have 00:23:30.579 --> 00:23:31.339 Jewish heritage, 00:23:31.619 --> 00:23:33.039 we are grafted in. 00:23:33.039 --> 00:23:34.559 We are orphans 00:23:34.559 --> 00:23:35.500 that have been adopted 00:23:35.500 --> 00:23:37.059 into the family of God 00:23:37.059 --> 00:23:37.899 in new ways. 00:23:38.399 --> 00:23:39.259 But ultimately, 00:23:40.659 --> 00:23:41.639 the kingdom of God 00:23:41.639 --> 00:23:42.960 is for all 00:23:42.960 --> 00:23:44.980 who come in faith. 00:23:45.679 --> 00:23:47.279 And this is the good news 00:23:47.279 --> 00:23:47.940 of the gospel 00:23:47.940 --> 00:23:49.119 that he shows 00:23:49.119 --> 00:23:50.539 an unexpected grace 00:23:50.539 --> 00:23:51.220 to us. 00:23:51.799 --> 00:23:53.299 Because the fact is, 00:23:53.799 --> 00:23:55.179 we are all Jew 00:23:55.179 --> 00:23:56.220 and Gentile, 00:23:57.220 --> 00:23:58.319 Syrophoenician women 00:23:58.319 --> 00:23:58.819 coming. 00:23:59.379 --> 00:24:00.700 Because in our sin, 00:24:00.700 --> 00:24:02.679 we are all undeserving. 00:24:03.339 --> 00:24:04.779 We have no claim 00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:05.940 before God 00:24:05.940 --> 00:24:06.379 to say, 00:24:06.639 --> 00:24:07.700 you must accept us 00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:09.339 because these things. 00:24:11.000 --> 00:24:11.420 Instead, 00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:12.339 in our sin 00:24:12.339 --> 00:24:13.460 and our trespasses, 00:24:13.559 --> 00:24:14.879 we are enemies of God, 00:24:15.240 --> 00:24:16.200 the unrighteous 00:24:16.200 --> 00:24:17.920 who need God's cleansing. 00:24:22.000 --> 00:24:23.460 And the call of the gospel 00:24:23.460 --> 00:24:24.440 is for us to come 00:24:24.440 --> 00:24:26.200 in humble, 00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:28.160 desperate faith. 00:24:28.160 --> 00:24:33.740 and confident faith. 00:24:33.880 --> 00:24:35.120 Because Jesus says, 00:24:36.140 --> 00:24:37.080 he who comes to me, 00:24:37.160 --> 00:24:37.980 I will in no way 00:24:37.980 --> 00:24:38.640 turn away. 00:24:39.740 --> 00:24:40.980 He wants us to see 00:24:40.980 --> 00:24:42.060 that it's of all 00:24:42.060 --> 00:24:42.840 of grace. 00:24:44.140 --> 00:24:44.840 Some of you 00:24:44.840 --> 00:24:45.480 in this room 00:24:45.480 --> 00:24:46.600 probably have grown up 00:24:46.600 --> 00:24:47.980 with a Jewish heritage. 00:24:49.660 --> 00:24:50.360 Some of you 00:24:50.360 --> 00:24:51.100 may have grown up 00:24:51.100 --> 00:24:51.800 with the privilege 00:24:51.800 --> 00:24:52.860 of a Christian heritage. 00:24:52.859 --> 00:24:55.859 You may have 00:24:55.859 --> 00:24:56.959 neither of these. 00:24:58.159 --> 00:24:58.759 And you may have 00:24:58.759 --> 00:24:59.500 come out of families 00:24:59.500 --> 00:25:00.359 that neither honored 00:25:00.359 --> 00:25:01.139 nor worshiped 00:25:01.139 --> 00:25:01.899 nor knew the God 00:25:01.899 --> 00:25:02.419 of the Bible. 00:25:03.339 --> 00:25:04.639 But the good news 00:25:04.639 --> 00:25:05.399 of the gospel 00:25:05.399 --> 00:25:06.000 is that 00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:08.359 the abundant gospel 00:25:08.359 --> 00:25:08.879 of grace 00:25:08.879 --> 00:25:09.819 is for you. 00:25:11.719 --> 00:25:12.859 Jesus has come 00:25:12.859 --> 00:25:14.359 and by his life 00:25:14.359 --> 00:25:15.159 and his death 00:25:15.159 --> 00:25:16.119 and his resurrection, 00:25:16.339 --> 00:25:16.959 he has achieved 00:25:16.959 --> 00:25:17.619 a salvation 00:25:17.619 --> 00:25:19.659 for all who believe. 00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:21.459 And we can come 00:25:21.460 --> 00:25:23.160 and when we get 00:25:23.160 --> 00:25:23.680 to the end 00:25:23.680 --> 00:25:24.299 of the Bible, 00:25:24.460 --> 00:25:24.660 do you know 00:25:24.660 --> 00:25:25.220 what the beautiful 00:25:25.220 --> 00:25:25.819 thing is? 00:25:25.920 --> 00:25:26.519 We're invited 00:25:26.519 --> 00:25:27.360 to a feast. 00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:29.259 And there are no dogs 00:25:29.259 --> 00:25:30.059 under the table 00:25:30.059 --> 00:25:31.440 in this image. 00:25:31.900 --> 00:25:33.460 There is a banquet feast 00:25:33.460 --> 00:25:34.819 for all to sit in 00:25:34.819 --> 00:25:35.579 and to feast 00:25:35.579 --> 00:25:36.920 on the grace of God 00:25:36.920 --> 00:25:38.279 and the undeserved 00:25:38.279 --> 00:25:39.240 love of God 00:25:39.240 --> 00:25:40.539 that he has showered 00:25:40.539 --> 00:25:42.039 on all of his people. 00:25:43.319 --> 00:25:43.680 Right? 00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:46.319 You who have no milk, 00:25:47.059 --> 00:25:48.120 you who have no bread, 00:25:48.220 --> 00:25:49.140 you who have no money, 00:25:49.259 --> 00:25:50.420 come and eat. 00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:51.279 That's what we read 00:25:51.279 --> 00:25:52.399 from Isaiah 55. 00:25:53.000 --> 00:25:53.779 And in Revelation, 00:25:53.960 --> 00:25:54.240 it says, 00:25:54.619 --> 00:25:55.180 come and eat 00:25:55.180 --> 00:25:56.680 in the abundance 00:25:56.680 --> 00:25:58.200 of the kingdom of God 00:25:58.200 --> 00:26:00.180 at the marriage feast 00:26:00.180 --> 00:26:00.980 of the Lamb. 00:26:02.039 --> 00:26:02.980 Come and taste 00:26:02.980 --> 00:26:04.119 that the Lord is good. 00:26:04.599 --> 00:26:05.759 We know that we deserve 00:26:05.759 --> 00:26:06.399 none of it, 00:26:06.940 --> 00:26:07.940 but have it all 00:26:07.940 --> 00:26:09.759 by God's grace. 00:26:11.500 --> 00:26:11.920 Friends, 00:26:12.039 --> 00:26:13.139 this is the good news 00:26:13.139 --> 00:26:14.420 that we learn 00:26:14.420 --> 00:26:15.259 through this 00:26:15.259 --> 00:26:16.720 unexpected encounter. 00:26:17.240 --> 00:26:17.960 Let's pray. 00:26:17.960 --> 00:26:18.079 Amen. 00:26:21.279 --> 00:26:28.920 Lord, I pray this morning 00:26:28.920 --> 00:26:29.879 that if we're those 00:26:29.879 --> 00:26:31.519 who fear to come to you 00:26:31.519 --> 00:26:33.139 because we think 00:26:33.139 --> 00:26:34.319 you will reject us 00:26:34.319 --> 00:26:35.859 because we're not good enough, 00:26:36.700 --> 00:26:40.319 because we fear 00:26:40.319 --> 00:26:41.599 that you would know 00:26:41.599 --> 00:26:43.639 our uncleanness, 00:26:44.379 --> 00:26:45.619 that you would know 00:26:45.619 --> 00:26:47.759 that somehow we feel like 00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:49.579 we're unacceptable to you, 00:26:49.579 --> 00:26:53.539 Lord, I pray this morning 00:26:53.539 --> 00:26:54.379 by your spirit 00:26:54.379 --> 00:26:55.720 that you would pierce 00:26:55.720 --> 00:26:57.059 our hearts 00:26:57.059 --> 00:26:58.599 with the reality 00:26:58.599 --> 00:26:59.439 of your kindness 00:26:59.439 --> 00:27:00.279 and grace. 00:27:01.779 --> 00:27:02.799 Lord, and that you would 00:27:02.799 --> 00:27:03.839 fill us with a faith 00:27:03.839 --> 00:27:04.299 that would 00:27:04.299 --> 00:27:06.079 cause us to come, 00:27:08.000 --> 00:27:09.039 surrender our lives 00:27:09.039 --> 00:27:09.599 to you, 00:27:09.879 --> 00:27:10.639 to follow you. 00:27:11.319 --> 00:27:12.339 Lord, for those of us 00:27:12.339 --> 00:27:12.939 this morning, 00:27:14.179 --> 00:27:15.460 Lord, whose hearts 00:27:15.460 --> 00:27:16.619 may be hardened, 00:27:16.619 --> 00:27:19.299 who might presume 00:27:19.299 --> 00:27:20.179 that of course 00:27:20.179 --> 00:27:21.039 we are yours 00:27:21.039 --> 00:27:22.319 even though, Lord, 00:27:22.399 --> 00:27:23.419 in fact we walk 00:27:23.419 --> 00:27:24.319 in neither faith 00:27:24.319 --> 00:27:25.219 nor humility. 00:27:26.299 --> 00:27:27.119 God, I pray you 00:27:27.119 --> 00:27:28.299 would pierce our hearts 00:27:28.299 --> 00:27:29.979 so that we might 00:27:29.979 --> 00:27:31.319 see our presumption 00:27:31.319 --> 00:27:33.539 and repent of it. 00:27:35.119 --> 00:27:36.559 And Lord, I pray for us 00:27:36.559 --> 00:27:37.379 as a community, 00:27:38.259 --> 00:27:39.439 Lord, that we would 00:27:39.439 --> 00:27:40.479 know the joy, 00:27:41.379 --> 00:27:42.879 the joy that the gospel 00:27:42.879 --> 00:27:44.679 of grace is for all people, 00:27:44.680 --> 00:27:47.080 that we would know 00:27:47.080 --> 00:27:47.940 the joy of that 00:27:47.940 --> 00:27:48.900 being for us 00:27:48.900 --> 00:27:50.100 and Lord, 00:27:50.180 --> 00:27:50.960 that we would be 00:27:50.960 --> 00:27:52.000 those who embody 00:27:52.000 --> 00:27:53.700 that welcome 00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:54.580 to others 00:27:54.580 --> 00:27:58.180 for our good 00:27:58.180 --> 00:27:59.380 and for your glory. 00:28:00.400 --> 00:28:01.400 We pray this 00:28:01.400 --> 00:28:02.240 in Jesus' name. 00:28:03.000 --> 00:28:03.200 Amen.