Strong Women

Read Mark 7: 24-30

24 Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre.[g] He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. 25 In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an impure spirit came and fell at his feet. 26 The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.

27 “First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

28 “Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”

29 Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.”

30 She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

This unnamed Greek woman demonstrates unconditional love that impels her to reach out to Jesus. Perhaps she has run out of options, or has no money, or has no health insurance. She is selfless in her need to help her sick little girl.

I imagine her remembering this Jewish rabbi, Jesus, who has been ministering in her town of Tyre to non-Jews. She’s heard of Jesus’ miracles. She knows of his wisdom. He is her last and only hope. But it’s not easy to simply walk up to Jesus and ask him to cure her daughter by casting out a demon.

For one thing Jesus is resting, probably in an upper room, and no doubt his disciples are gathered and want to give him some peace. They are not going to let anyone get close to him.

But this woman will not be stopped. Somehow, she pushes past them, perhaps outrunning them up an outside staircase and bursting into the room where Jesus is reclining.