Faith In Jesus' Crumbs

Here’s a very family story of faith, which heard the crumbs of Jesus’ Words, as it were, and begged for even those crumbs, so stubborn was that faith in Jesus.  Quoted for you is Mark 7: 24 - 30 NIV

Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an evil spirit came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter. First let the children eat all they want, he told her, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to their dogs. Yes, Lord, she replied, but even the dogs under the table eat from the children’s crumbs. Then he said to her, For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter. She went home and found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.  

Here is a non-Jew who has heard about a Jew called Jesus. Note, all she believes, from what she has heard, is that He has the power and authority to help her. Her child is terribly ill and nothing matters to her but this worry that she carries.  She wants her daughter to be free of the demon that possesses her.  No one has been able to help her, but today is her day. Jesus has come to a house nearby and although He wants no one to know where He is, people find out and the news is made public.  This woman only hears about Jesus as people are talking and she leaves everything and rushes to where Jesus is.

She Bolted for Jesus. Note the word, bolted. Yes, she simply wanted help for her child. Take a person who hears that some specialist has come into town.  That person just hears of the possibility of help, and goes for it. There is no kind of thinking about anything else, but the possibility there is. This woman literally bolts to Jesus. Mark 7: 25 states clearly.  In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an evil spirit came and fell at his feet.

She is Unashamed of anything. She has no qualms whatsoever of her status and standing.  She does not mind what anyone says or thinks about her. The words people speak, degrading or otherwise, do not move her. What moves her are the words she is hearing from Jesus. His words, not the words of another, are fanning the faith in her to bright brilliance. Her need is so great, she has no concern of shame. That she is a non-Jew, seeking help from a Jew, does not trouble her. I tell you, she is totally unashamed of her status. Even when she bolts in and begs this Jew to help her daughter, she hears all the words He speaks, missing none. She agrees with all Jesus says to her about her and His people. Yet, she is not ashamed that she belongs to the ‘dogs’.  Jesus’ description is very vivid, candid and most clear. He does not mince matters to this Syrophoenician woman, who desperately wants Him to help her child. The children of the Jews must come first, must always be before the children that do not belong.  She does not fight Jesus on that. She agrees with all He says and still, with the same urgency, and unrelenting passion of faith responds to Jesus in a way that moves Him.  Yes, Lord, she replied, but even the dogs under the table eat from the children’s crumbs. 

She is Taking all that Jesus has. This may seem simple to you, but it is very important to Jesus.  This Greek woman is prepared to take ALL that Jesus gives to her, even though His answer is sounding so unkind.  She takes it all because she knows that if He is all that she has heard about Him, then even crumbs, dregs, ‘left-overs’, and ‘throw-away’ stuff from Him, are worth it.

For our own purposes, we are looking at what I call a, BUT, faith.  It is a faith that simply hears that Jesus is around, that His Word is within your reach and you leave all and rush straight for Him. To just hear of Jesus and run to Him, pleases Him. 

So you are as that woman, in need of a miracle for yourself, or someone.  You have a very worrisome need, a dire need.  You are living the last days of hope. You are clinging to absolutely nothing of soundness and substance. All that you have in your life is worry, anxiety, stress and total hopelessness and helplessness.   

Jesus, the Living Word, has come before you, within easy access and reach. You bolt straight for the Word, welcomed or unwelcomed by others in the holy gathering. You enter, most unashamed to get His Living Word. You ask for help and are prepared to take anything Jesus throws at you.

I found it quite fascinating that Jesus never used the word faith, in this Mark passage. All He said to this Syrophoenician woman was, For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter. Certainly He was talking about her faith in His crumbs. How often have you been offended by the words Jesus has spoken to you, or the manner in which He has spoken words to you? Don’t you ever lose sight of who Jesus is. Crumbs from Him are worth more than all the world’s crystals.

Faith in Your crumbs Lord, I’ll praise any day,

Though harsh are the words you to me may say,

Stubbornly I stick to Your grace and might,

Faith in who You are brings Your fine delight.

Amen!