To Find Peace, Become A Beggar

Jesus Cannot Get a Break!

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is constantly surrounded by people seeking His wisdom, healing, and presence. Despite His efforts to find rest and teach His disciples in peace, Jesus remains in high demand, even when He tries to find solitude.

In Mark 7:24 (ESV), we read, "And from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house and did not want anyone to know, yet he could not be hidden." Jesus ventures beyond Judea, Samaria, and Galilee into Syrophoenicia, completely outside the historic land of Israel, yet He still cannot escape notice.

Even Outside the Country, a Woman Shows Up!

Despite leaving Israel, Jesus encounters a woman in desperate need. Mark 7:25-26 (ESV) states, "But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter." This woman is a Gentile, belonging to a group historically seen as enemies of God’s people..

She Begs Jesus. Jesus’ Reply Sounds Like an Insult, So Let’s Explore It.

Mark 7:27 (ESV) records, "And he said to her, 'Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.'" This response may seem harsh, but understanding the cultural context can shed light on its meaning.

Insider/Outsider Terms

Many cultures have terms that distinguish insiders from outsiders, often used in various contexts. Greeks referred to non-Greeks as barbarians. The Japanese have the term gaijin for foreigners. In Persian and related languages, ferenghi is used to refer to Europeans. During the Crusades, Christians and Muslims used the term infidel for each other.

Jesus Uses a Different Term for “Dogs”

Jesus uses a term for “dogs” that refers to smaller, pet dogs, part of the household, rather than wild, scavenging dogs. This nuance suggests a less derogatory tone. 

Jesus’ Response Does Note Exclude Gentiles

A careful reading of Jesus’ response to the woman indicates the inclusion of non-Jewish people in God’s redemptive mission. Jesus says, “Let the children be fed first…”

The Commendable Response from the Woman

Mark 7:28 (ESV) records, "But she answered him, 'Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.'" This response is a lesson in leadership and conversation, teaching us the importance of finding the “yes” in a situation. In improv comedy, actors must accept and build on what is given, responding creatively to keep the flow going. Similarly, the woman finds the “yes” in Jesus’ statement, acknowledging His mission and still seeking His help.

In real life, applying the principle of “Yes, and…” rather than opposing and arguing can lead to more constructive conversations. Consider the mission of the church. One might say, “We need to take care of long-term members.” If you have a heart for missions, instead of opposing with, “No, we need to reach the community,” try, “Yes, and we need to figure out how to reach the community.”

Finding the “yes” is a powerful tool in leadership and in every relationship.

Jesus Responds

Mark 7:29-30 (ESV) continues, "And he said to her, 'For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter.' And she went home and found the child lying in bed and the demon gone." 

Jesus often commends the faith of non-Jewish people, such as the centurion in Matthew 8:10 and His sermon in Nazareth that almost got Him killed, where He cites Elijah and Elisha’s ministries to Gentiles.

What’s in This for Us?

We are like the Gentile woman, coming to Jesus with our needs. Jesus grants her request without questioning her worthiness. She comes as a beggar, knowing she cannot earn His favor. We, too, are beggars before God. We don’t need to convince God to love us; He already does. He has shown that in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

The moment we move from beggar to earner, we lose our peace. God chooses us; we do not choose Him. Jesus chose His disciples, and God chose Abraham. 

When God chooses someone, it is not a credit to the person chosen. It appears that God often chooses people to show his grace rather than whatever talent or experience the person might possess. As stated in 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (ESV), "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God."

True freedom comes from understanding that we are beggars to whom everything has been given. Jesus teaches, “Unless you become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of God.” As we grow up in this world in which we do need to bring value to our jobs, our faith can absorb that flavor. We begin to believe we bring something to the table that makes us worthy of Christ. In reality, we bring nothing but ourselves, much like a child brings nothing but their presence to their family. Jesus said that unless you become like a little child you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. A child contributes nothing but is loved unconditionally. Similarly, we are loved by God unconditionally.

Finding Rest for Your Soul

You will find rest in Jesus when you come to Him as a child, bringing nothing but yourself. He has called you home. He has shown His love through His death and resurrection. As 1 John 4:19 (ESV) says, "We love because he first loved us." As we approach Him with the humility of beggars, we find true freedom and rest in His love.

Much grace and peace to you!