The initial part of the passage is an encouragement for disciples of Christ to be open to find faith in unexpected people and places. The woman is described as a Gentile. Jesus plays on this fact, even using for her the derogatory term that some Jews used for such folk, calling her a ‘dog’. She turns the phrase around and reminds Him that even the puppies under the table were able to enjoy the crumbs! Acknowledging her faith, Jesus responds, and healing comes into the situation.
The second part of the passage concerns the healing of a deaf/mute man. Jesus takes him aside, and prays (with a sigh) "‘Ephphatah’, which as we’ve seen means, "Be open". Again healing comes into the situation.
In an age when Christianity is increasingly becoming marginalised and many congregations have witnessed more prosperous days, surely Jesus invites us to "be opened". To stretch our faith and believe that this is a time when He is still working in unexpected ways through unexpected people in unexpected places.
We may, like Jesus, make this prayer with a sigh. It would be easier if there were a comprehensive, one size fits all blueprints to follow, but discipleship has never worked that way!
We can apply this to our personal lives.
- Are there situations where we have very little expectation of God working?
- Where are we in need of ‘being opened’?
- What is there in our lives that would cause Jesus to sigh?
- To what or to whom are we blind?
- Where should we be speaking out instead of remaining mute?
Prayer: Lord, in our lives together as Your people and in our individual journeys of faith guide us to be opened to the possibilities of change and renewal that Your love can bring. Amen.
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