“Reflection, Acceptance and Deliverance”
From Ulster Plantation to the Carolina’s with the Gospel!” *
Russell H. McCullough / Archdale church of Christ, 2525 Archdale Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210
www.archdale.org / gospelcall.blogspot.com - Date: 15 May 2016
Text: Mark 7.24 - 30
Thesis: What at first
appears harsh may just be Grace in disguise!
1
Introduction
A.
What
we learn from Matthews account in 15.21 – 28
1.
His
leaving was purposeful, he and disciples needed seclusion
a.
Mark
6.32 – 24
b.
Mark
6.45
c.
Mark
6.53 – 55
2.
The
woman he meets is a Canaanite
3.
The
woman is crying
4.
At
first Christ did not respond to her pleas
5.
The
disciples begged Christ to send her away
6.
His
first response was apparently terse; “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the
house of Israel.”
7.
In
addition to falling prostrate she knelt before Him and implored; “Lord, help
me!”
8.
He
lauded her. “O woman great is your
faith! Be it done for you as you
desire.”
9.
This
is a good example as to why we should examine all parallel passages.
B.
This
event is the opposite of the healing of Jairus’ daughter
1.
Father
– Mother
2.
Jew
– Gentile
3.
Powerful
– Weak
4.
Israel
– Phoenicia
C.
Tyre
and Sidon were significant because they were part of the Israel’s inheritance
that was never taken
2
Reflection:
7.24 - 26
A. He did not come to the District to minister but to rest
B. He did not want anyone to know he was there but he was
being followed.
C. JESUS COULD NOT BE HIDDEN!
D. Her seeking Him out was an act of desperation, women did
not act in this way in this culture.
E. This woman is the ultimate outcast in her extant
circumstances
1. Female
2. Greek
3. Syrian
4. Phoenician
5. Canaanite
6. Un-invited
7. Nuisance to others
3
Acceptance
: 7.27 - 28
A. Many a skeptic
takes this passage to “prove” that Jesus uses racial profiling and makes racist
assertions.
B. Not so! The word translated “dogs” is the original kunaria
which literally means “puppies.”
1. In New
Testament times there were some good and some bad references to dogs.
2. Packs of
wild dogs were prevalent. They were
visous and a real threat to people who had to protect themselves. Such a pack licked up Jezebel’s blood in the
street.
3. However,
dogs were domesticated and valuable to the shepherd.
4. Finally,
as in this passage, puppies were often allowed in the home as a way to keep the
floor clean during and after meals and were sort of quasit pets for the children.
C. Jesus is not racial
profiling here, He is noting that fact that the Gospel is to be spread first to
the House of Israel before is spread to the Gentiles.
D. He is NOT equating Gentiles with dogs, He simply asserts
the plan of God to offer salvation first to the Jew.
E. Refusing to take
offence, the woman gladly accepts the premise and is grateful to accept the
“crumbs of healing” from the Savior.
4
Delivery:
7.29 - 30
A.
The
woman’s faith and acceptance of the message is rewarded
B. Jesus commends her
C. The daughter is healed
5
The
Meaning of the Text
A. Jesus sets His
evangelistic priorities
B. Jews first
C. Gentiles second
D. Everyone eventually
E. That which first appears harsh may just be Grace in
disguise!
6
The
Challenge of the Text
A. There is no district to which Jesus won’t go
B. Jesus is in your district
C. Who or what you are is no concern for Jesus
D. Crying to Jesus about our demons is a good thing
1. A broken
and contrite heart
E. We are the puppies and He’s still spreading the Gospel to
us
7
“The
Gospel Call” - “And now why do you wait?
Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on the Name of the
Lord.”
·
My fifth great uncle was Hugh Gaston who was
rector at the Ballywillan Presbyterian Church (pictured above left) in County
Antrim, Ulster Plantation (Northern Ireland) and wrote the most dangerous book
of his time; Gaston’s Collections. It
allowed “the ploughman to know more Bible than his clergyman.” Hugh fled to South Carolina where he died
prematurely of the measles. He is buried
just one hour south of Charlotte in Chester County, S.C. in “Burnt Meeting
House Cemetery.” Uncle Hugh continues
to inspire my ministry to this very day.
You can read more about Uncle Hugh here: http://www.ballywillanpci.org/rev-hugh-gaston
Ruins photo courtesy of: ballywillanpci.org.
