Faith Over Obstacles

Introduction

When a child is sick, parents take action. Parents worry about their children’s health. Some of you have had to deal with a child who had chronic illness. We do not like to see our children suffer. We are thankful for LeBonheur and St. Jude and the dedicated staff who seek to relieve suffering for children. In most cases, parents would do almost anything to alleviate their child’s suffering or do things to help their child.

Do you know the name Dick Hoyt? You may not know his name but you probably know something about him. Hoyt’s son, Rick, was born with a severe case of cerebral palsy. Rick never walked or spoke. The Hoyts refused to institutionalize their son, instead making sure that Rick participated in life in his wheelchair and as technology grew, participated in speaking through a computerized voice. In 1977, Rick told his dad that he wanted to participate in a 5K run for a lacrosse player who had been paralyzed. Rick in his wheelchair and his father, Dick, pushing, they ran the first of what would be over 1100 races together. They ran in 32 Boston Marathons; 6 Ironman competitions; in 1992 they completed a bike/run event across the U.S. of 3735 miles in 45 days. Part of what makes this so amazing is that for the past several years, Dick Hoyt dealt with heart issues but kept running so that his son could experience life more fully. Dick Hoyt died in 2021 at the age of 80. Rick died in May 2023 at the age of 61.

Parents will do most anything for their children. Today we read of a story of a mother who will do whatever she can for her daughter. It’s a bold story. A story that reminds us of Jesus’ compassion and his mission.

Dogs

At the beginning of chapter 7, Mark has included a story that identifies that the designation of clean or unclean in regards to food do not matter in God’s kingdom. While such designations mattered to the Jews because of the law of Moses, Jesus declared that all foods are clean, opening the door for Gentiles to be a part of the kingdom of God. Mark continues with that thought in the story that has been read for us. Jesus is in the Gentile community surrounding Tyre.

Jesus leaves Galilee for a vacation. He is looking for a quiet spot to rest. He goes to the region of Tyre. This was not a hot spot for Jewish vacationers. There was bad blood between the Jews and the city of Tyre. No one will bother Jesus in this area. Those from Tyre dislike the Jews and the Jews dislike those in Tyre. A respite. Mark 3:8 tells us that people from this region have come and listened to Jesus and to see his mighty works. Jesus may be in a Gentile place but the Gentiles know him.

A woman who has heard of Jesus and trusts what he can do appears to beg Jesus for a favor—heal my daughter. Jesus and the woman engage in a brief but humorous exchange. This passage has been debated for centuries. Some have rightly pointed out that Jews and Gentiles didn’t like each other and that the term “dogs” were at times used by Jews to describe Gentiles. I read this week one author who accused Jesus of making a mistake and having to correct himself by healing the daughter. Not so.

Mark gives us some clues. First, the word that Jesus uses for dogs is to be understood as a domesticated little dog. Not the untamed dogs that roam the street but a puppy. The woman understands the point because her response is about the dog that lies under the table waiting for the crumbs to fall. A domesticated dog. The Jews used a different word for dogs to describe Gentiles. Second, Jesus refers to a Gentile custom in his comment. Jews considered Gentiles as barbaric and unsophisticated. They were crude without good manners. One of the proofs of that was that Gentiles ate with their hands but they ate without decorum. All ate with hands but the Jews washed their hands before eating and then they tried to eat small bites with dignity using their hands. The Gentiles just went for it. And then to wipe their mouths, they would take a piece of bread and wipe their mouths and drop the bread under the table for the family dog to eat. Now the conversation makes sense.

Jesus envisions a meal in which the children are not able to eat all they want. The father takes bread and mops his mouth with it and throws it to the dog before the child finishes. The child represents Jews. Jews first, Jesus says. The woman’s response is to point out that she doesn’t deny Jews first, she just wants the child’s crumbs. God can care for his children and the little dog at the same time. Great faith! Jesus heals the little girl demonstrating that God’s kingdom will include both Jews and Gentiles.

So What?

There are two points. The first is universal and the second is personal. First, Jesus establishes that God’s kingdom welcomes all. In principle we agree with this. In actuality, we have a bit of a harder time. Part of this has to do with our expectations of others and even our expectation of God. We aren’t always comfortable around people who challenge us morally or spiritually. We like sameness to some degree. But that kind of thinking just reminds us of how much God has changed our lives and that we want others to be with him too. Jesus understood his mission was to the Jews first. Paul understood that God’s kingdom came through the Jews first (Romans 1:16) but first doesn’t mean exclusive.

Our relationship with God mustn’t be exclusive. Thankfully, God opened his kingdom to all. God wants every person to come to repentance and accept him. So should we.

Second, faith trusts in God’s ability. The woman’s faith was in what Jesus could do. She didn’t know or need to know God’s overall plan, but she trusted that God could do something. Compare her faith with the faith of the disciples and religious leaders. Hard hearted. Dull. Combative. The woman demonstrates a faith that accepts. The obstacles didn’t keep her from moving toward Jesus. Gentile. Outsider. Faith filled. Faith trusts when the obstacles are real. Faith pushes forward when we do not see the plan or understand it. But like the woman it is not necessary for us to know the plan. What is necessary is to trust the one who does.

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