March 31                                                               Mark 7:24-37

This is an amazing story of healing and inclusion.  The obvious lesson here is that Jesus healed the mute and deaf man.  Jesus sighed to heaven, "Ephphatha" - "Be Opened".  Instantly, the man's ears were opened and his tongue released and he was able to speak freely.  Instantaneous healing with one word!  

The less obvious lesson here is the story of the woman whose little daughter is possessed by an unclean spirit.  The woman was a Greek.  An outsider to the Jewish community and therefore not bound by the law.  Jesus, a Rabi, first denies her request saying, "Let the children first be fed, for it is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs."  Jesus is telling the woman that because she is not a Jew, she is not 'on his list'.  Jesus is telling her that first, he must feed the children of Israel, the children of the law, God's chosen people.  This is his calling an purpose. 

The woman's reply, "Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs".  At this, Jesus' ministry is changed.  His healing is extended to Jew and Gentile.  He submits, "For this saying you many go your way; the demon has left your daughter".  One woman's faith and insistence changed the course of Jesus' calling.  As a result we are also included in the instantaneous healing that Jesus provides.

Racquel Ray