Mark 7:25-30 For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet:… "Jesus went thence." The persons and places that have been favoured with Christ's presence and instructions may not be always so; having delivered His message, and done His work, He will remove. The day is going away, and night will succeed. Happy they who, while they have the light, know how to use it; and, having Jesus with them, make sure of an interest in Him, before He go from them. 1. The suppliant. 2. The title she speaks to our Lord by — "O Lord, Thou Son of David." 3. The request. I. THE TRIALS AND DIFFICULTIES THIS SUPPLIANT'S FAITH MET WITH. 1. Though she cries, Christ is wholly silent. How great a trial is this, to speak to the only Saviour, and have no return; to cry to a merciful Saviour, and meet no regard. Prayers may be heard, yet kept in suspense. A bitter aggravation of affliction (Lamentations 3:8; Song of Solomon 5:6; Psalm 22:2; Psalm 69:3; Psalm 77:7, 8, 9). This a trial, considering the encouraging character under which God is made known to His people (Psalm 65:2; Psalm 50:15; Isaiah 65:24). 2. Christ seems to intimate that He had nothing to do with her. He was able to save, but salvation was not for her. 3. When her request was renewed, Christ seems to answer it with reproach. II. Having spoken of the trial of this woman's faith, I COME TO CONSIDER HOW IT WAS DISCOVERED, AND WORKED THROUGH ALL. 1. Though Christ was silent she did not drop, but continued her suit. The eternal Word would not speak to her, the wisdom of the Father would not answer her, the compassionate Jesus would take no notice of her, the heavenly Physician would not yet help her; but all this does not discourage or sink her. How does the earnestness of this heathen in crying after Christ reproach the ignorance and ingratitude of the Jews, who generally made light of Him; and invite all that hear it, to admire her faith thus discovered, and the grace of God in general wherever it works. Faith enabled her to read an argument in Christ's silence, and by it she continued her suit. The same words that bid us pray, bid us wait too (Psalm 27:14). 2. When Christ speaks, and seems to exclude her out of His commission to give help and relief, she passeth over the doubt she could not answer, and, instead of disputing, adores Him, and prays to Him still. Two or three things are here implied, as what she kept her eye upon, and by which she was quickened and helped on in praying to Christ amidst so many discouragements, which otherwise would have been enough to sink her. (1) Upon her deep necessity. It was a deplorable case her child was in, being grievously vexed with a devil, from subjection to which she earnestly desired to see her set free. (2) Upon Christ's power, and His compassion joined with it, that He and He only could, and, as she hoped, would relieve her. Her faith as to this is manifested by her coming to Him, and by the title she gives Him, of Lord — "Lord, help me."(3) Upon Him, as the Messiah promised of God, the great Deliverer, and so worshipped Him, and east herself upon Him, with this strong cry, uttered by a stronger faith, "Lord, help me." This was the discovery of this supplicant's faith under trials. Now followeth — III. THE HAPPY ISSUE OF THIS, in her faith's triumph. "Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith; be it unto thee even as thou wilt." To how blessed an issue is the struggle brought! Christ's answer before was not so discouraging as this was comfortable. What consolation is it fitted to convey, as it is the testimony of one that knew the heart, and given after a manner most fit to revive it? 1. Her faith was owned, commended, and admired by the Author of it, whose words are always spoken according to truth, most clearly and certainly. 2. The reward of her faith was ample, as large as her desires were, to have it to be, "Be it unto thee even as thou wilt." And how fast and far will a sinner's thoughts and desires fly after good things? What a compass will they take? Looking downward he will say, I desire to be delivered from the bottomless pit, that my soul may not be gathered with sinners, nor my portion be with them in their place of torment; and Christ will say, "Be it unto thee even as thou wilt." Looking inward, his language will be, O that I may be delivered from this body of death. Looking upward to the mansions of glory, the believer cries, O that heaven may be mine. (D. Wilcox.) Parallel Verses KJV: For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet: |
    |