What Jesus Did! 'Couldn't Keep It Quiet' — Mark 7:24-25

Monday, May 2, 2016

Jesus left that place and went to the area around Tyre. Jesus went into a house there. Jesus did not want the people in that area to know he was there. But Jesus could not stay hidden. A woman heard that Jesus was there. Her little daughter had an evil spirit {from the devil} inside her. So the woman came to Jesus and bowed down near his feet.
— Mark 7:24-25
Illustration of Mark 7:24-25 — So the woman came to Jesus and bowed down near his feet.

Key Thought

Jesus and his leading followers are still in need of rest. The crowds have pressed upon them repeatedly. However, Jesus' reputation has now grown and he is well known even far away from his home and center of ministry. Gentiles have heard of his power and know their need for help. In this context—the deep need to withdraw and be alone and the seeking hearts of Gentiles—a woman comes to Jesus with a deep concern on her heart. Her daughter is possessed by an evil spirit. The Phoenician people had a proud, but very pagan, heritage (from a Jewish point of view). They had often been bitter enemies with the children of Israel. For this woman to fall at the feet of a Jew, especially one of "no noble rank," was indeed a sign of desperation and humility. For the culture that produced Jezebel and a host of condemning words because of their Baal worship, here is a woman who shows dependence and worship to the Savior of the world, who also happens to be Jewish. Not even the distance—geographical and racial—could keep Jesus' saving power from being known!

Today's Prayer

O God, please help us awaken and realize that what we have to share with the world is Jesus—not our technology, our culture, our knowledge. While many other things are good to share and I know we need to be generous in sharing them, please help us to be more passionate about sharing Jesus both in our teaching and in our conduct. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

We want all of you and all the Jewish people to know that this man was made well by the power of Jesus Christ from Nazareth! You nailed Jesus to a cross. God raised him from death. This man was crippled, but he is now well. He is able to stand here before you because of the power of Jesus! Jesus is 'the stone that you builders thought was not important. But this stone has become the cornerstone. ' Jesus is the only One who can save people. His name is the only power in the world that has been given to save people. We must be saved through Jesus!"

Acts 4:10-12

Many of the Samaritan people in that town believed in Jesus. They believed because of what the woman had told them about Jesus. She had told them, "He (Jesus) told me everything I have ever done." The Samaritans went to Jesus. They begged Jesus to stay with them. So Jesus stayed there two days. Many more people believed because of the things Jesus said. The people said to the woman, "First we believed in Jesus because of what you told us. But now we believe because we heard him ourselves. We know now that he really is the one that will save the world."

John 4:39-42

That is how much God loved us, dear friends! So we also must love each other. No person has ever seen God. But if we love each other, then God lives in us. If we love each other, then God's love has reached its goal—it is made perfect in us. We know that we live in God and God lives in us. We know this because God gave us his Spirit. We have seen that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. That is what we tell people now.

1 John 4:11-14

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did is a one-year devotional guide through the gospels, using one short passage each day and following the Gospel in consecutive order. Each devotional consists of a passage, reflection and a prayer which opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.

Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.

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