Subscription Lists
Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
Jesus went into a Gentile territory. Mark Chapter 7 verse 24.
Jesus has been challenging the legalistic convenient position of the religious Pharisees.
This was part of the Promised Land although Gentile territory at that time.
Please do read the text of the Scriptures before going further. It always pays to read the actual text of the Bible. God loves to reward those who make the effort to read His Word. Be in the Word of God every day.
Jesus is not all that interested in our geopolitical squabbles. Jesus is concerned about people, and yet strong stern words come from Jesus’ mouth. Why would Jesus talk to anyone this way?
Verse 27 - If these words did not come from the mouth of Jesus Christ we would find this very difficult.
Jesus had come firstly to speak to the people of Israel. As a rabbi Jesus is not even supposed to be speaking to women.
Jesus is challenging this woman’s motivation. Do you think you deserve this as much as the Jewish people?
Middle East dogs are mingy things.
First feed the children – the people of God – the Jews – Israel – but, the dogs get the scraps.
I accept whatever you say about me but I am still asking – and Jesus healed her daughter.
For such a reply Jesus rewards that faith that she has. She just wants Jesus blessing. She did not deserve this. She just wants what only Jesus can give and do. She is not angry and she has no anger at what Jesus was doing elsewhere and overlooking her people. She just wants Jesus, and what only Jesus Christ can do.
Jesus values this woman and meets the need in that household.
Verse 31 - Jesus then goes to the Decapolis – ten Greek cities on the east side of the Jordan River. Look at the map. Jesus went to the geographical area where the people were considered as unclean, and Jesus had been teaching about clean and unclean.
A man who was deaf and dumb is brought to Jesus – Jesus mimes – puts His fingers in his ears – spits - He looked up to heaven – “be opened”.
Jesus meets our needs in different ways. He touched this man. He touched his ears. People believed that spit had healing qualities. Jesus looked up to heaven. “Are you willing to trust me to heal you?”
Jesus healed some with just a word – and some with clay – and some with a touch.
Jesus meets our needs in ways that builds our faith. Jesus takes this man aside – being in a crowd can be confusing for someone deaf and dumb. Jesus gives attention to this man.
Jesus rarely does something the same way twice. Have we not experienced that?
Jesus deeply cares about my need – verse 34 – with a deep sigh – Jesus cares – Jesus felt the man’s burden – Jesus sense the man’s hurt – Jesus sighed!
Jesus understood what was going on in this needy life. Do you know that Jesus understands what is going on in your life and your situation? These articles must be more than mere Bible Study – much more. May they challenge you and strengthen your faith and bring you closer to Jesus Christ.
Jesus made a good job of this healing. He does everything well – and that is what God said when he created the world – good and well are the same in Greek and Hebrew. “You take a person and make a good job of that man.”
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "Word from Scotland" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.