“What Seemed Like Rejection” Mark 7: /12/2008 Dr. Dane Boyles

“What Seemed Like Rejection” 24 Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. (Mark 7:24)

“What Seemed Like Rejection” 25 In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an evil spirit came and fell at his feet. (Mark 7:25)

“What Seemed Like Rejection” 26 The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter. (Mark 7:26)

“What Seemed Like Rejection” 27 “First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” (Mark 7:27)

“What Seemed Like Rejection” 28 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “but even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” 29 Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.” (Mark 7:28-29) 28 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “but even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” 29 Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.” (Mark 7:28-29)

“What Seemed Like Rejection” 30 She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone. (Mark 7:30)

“What Seemed Like Rejection” –Jesus was on vacation. –Tyre is a city on the Mediterranean coast. –Jesus always had compassion for troubled and needy people. –But Jesus was human. He needed to rest. –Jesus was on vacation. –Tyre is a city on the Mediterranean coast. –Jesus always had compassion for troubled and needy people. –But Jesus was human. He needed to rest.

“What Seemed Like Rejection” –What would it have been like for people in Jesus’ day? –Although it seemed like rejection, Jesus saw the Syrophoenician woman and understood the depth of her agony. –It was God’s plan for Jesus to go to the Jews first. –What would it have been like for people in Jesus’ day? –Although it seemed like rejection, Jesus saw the Syrophoenician woman and understood the depth of her agony. –It was God’s plan for Jesus to go to the Jews first.

“What Seemed Like Rejection” 5 “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ (Matthew 10:5-7) 5 “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ (Matthew 10:5-7)

“What Seemed Like Rejection” –Only once did Jesus ever leave Palestine. –If you were to read this account in isolation it might seem that Jesus was rude to the woman. –Only once did Jesus ever leave Palestine. –If you were to read this account in isolation it might seem that Jesus was rude to the woman.

“What Seemed Like Rejection” 27 “First let the children eat all they want for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” (Mark 7:27)

“What Seemed Like Rejection” –Jesus knew full well what he was doing. Jesus was very concerned about this woman and her daughter. Jesus knew her heart and mind. He knew just what needed to be said to let this woman respond in faith. –Jesus knew full well what he was doing. Jesus was very concerned about this woman and her daughter. Jesus knew her heart and mind. He knew just what needed to be said to let this woman respond in faith.

“What Seemed Like Rejection” 28 “but even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” 29 Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.” (Mark 7:29) 28 “but even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” 29 Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.” (Mark 7:29)

“What Seemed Like Rejection” –What is it that made the difference? What do I need to do? How do I live so that God will deal with me like He did this Syrophoenician woman? –What is it that made the difference? What do I need to do? How do I live so that God will deal with me like He did this Syrophoenician woman?

“What Seemed Like Rejection” Believe anything is possible with Jesus. –We often conclude that God won’t listen to me, He won’t help me. 8 “However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8) Believe anything is possible with Jesus. –We often conclude that God won’t listen to me, He won’t help me. 8 “However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8)

“What Seemed Like Rejection” Don’t take no for an answer. –Talk about stubborn. Don’t take no for an answer. –Talk about stubborn.

“What Seemed Like Rejection” 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? (Luke 18:7)

“What Seemed Like Rejection” 9 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (Luke 11:9)

“What Seemed Like Rejection” Humble yourself. –The Syrophoenician woman humbled herself and yet didn’t grovel. –The truth is that Jesus NEVER turned ANYONE away. Humble yourself. –The Syrophoenician woman humbled herself and yet didn’t grovel. –The truth is that Jesus NEVER turned ANYONE away.

“What Seemed Like Rejection” 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. (John 10:16)

“What Seemed Like Rejection” 18 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” (Matt 28:18) –Those are not the words of a racist or a bigot. 18 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” (Matt 28:18) –Those are not the words of a racist or a bigot.

“What Seemed Like Rejection” Conclusion The Stick –The dead stick he had chosen to pound into the ground next to the live tree, the stick that he had found just lying on the ground, the stick which was all split to pieces at the top where he had used a hammer to drive it in the soil, THAT stick grew! Conclusion The Stick –The dead stick he had chosen to pound into the ground next to the live tree, the stick that he had found just lying on the ground, the stick which was all split to pieces at the top where he had used a hammer to drive it in the soil, THAT stick grew!

“What Seemed Like Rejection” –Isn’t that the way God does things? –When he speaks, it might even sound like rejection, but it’s not. –He never rejects sinners, just the sin. –Isn’t that the way God does things? –When he speaks, it might even sound like rejection, but it’s not. –He never rejects sinners, just the sin.

“What Seemed Like Rejection” Mark 7: /12/2008 Dr. Dane Boyles