Let the Children First Be Filled (Mark 7:27)

2022-03-18

Jesus primarily remained in the boundaries of historical Israel during His lifetime on earth. There were few times when He crossed those boundaries. There was a time when He crossed into Phoenicia. There is recorded a single narrative from when He was there: A woman with a demon possessed daughter who wanted Jesus to heal her. “Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me” (Matthew 15:25).

The Lord’s response is uncharacteristic. What appears to be a harsh statement from the Lord is a statement of compassion, as we will see.

“Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it unto the dogs” (Mark 7:27). There is no culture I have heard of that would consider this a compliment. She did not let this deter her. “And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs” (Mark 7:28). He honored her request and praised her faith. What can we learn from this?

  1. First, the Lord does not turn away people who persistently seek Him. The Matthew account shows how she kept pursuing Him despite the discouragement from the disciples. His own response does not discourage her either. If you keep seeking the Lord, you will be heard. The result may not always be what you expected or wanted, but you can guarantee that you will be heard.
  2. Also, this is the only narrative recorded from while He was there. This tells me that He primarily went up there for her. He pursues that one person that would respond to Him in true faith.
  3. He told her this seemingly harsh response, knowing that she could handle it. I doubt He would tell someone who truly was pursuing Him this unless they could handle it. This was said to elicit a response, which the Lord does throughout the Scriptures.
  4. This event follows the narrative where the Jews were rebuked for their traditions. They were comfortable in their own righteousness. He came to them, but they rejected Him. This woman, from a nation that had no covenant with God, came to Him, worshipping.
  5. This also served as a pattern for the future. Throughout the book of Acts, missionaries started preaching in the synagogues, and then would go to the Gentiles after being rejected by them.
  6. Lastly, we are this Canaanite woman. Most Christians are not Jewish, so we are the dogs mentioned here.