TEXT: MARK 7:24-37
- THE PRAYER/PLEA FOR A GREAT FAVOUR. Matthew 15:22-26
What the woman asked for was something great, something which none of the physicians in her Gentile Syrophoenician community or a Jewish priest could do for her. Just one person, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Great Physician could do it.
Some people are easily discouraged and annoyed. They wear their temper on their sleeves. The woman would have complained about the attitude of Jesus and the disciples and gone back, but she did not. She was bent to get what she came for. We should be wise to the point that whatever attitude people around put up, we will not relent until we get what we want.
vs 25. In all that the Lord said, the woman did not argue, she was just pleading with Him. The response of the Lord in vs 26 was a test of faith on the woman.
Matthew 17:15-18. This was another case of a man pleading for mercy concerning his lunatic son. The Lord had gone to the mount of transfiguration with three of His disciples, leaving nine behind. This man brought his son to them with the expectation that they would be able to deliver him, but they could not. Yet, he did not feel offended, he waited till Jesus came. In a moment, Jesus commanded the spirit to come out, and it obeyed.
- HER PERSEVERANCE WITH GREAT FERVENCY. Matthew 15:27-28
The woman did not allow her fervency and perseverance to become cold. Some people will wait until they see a promise in scriptures concerning their needs before they believe God can take them away. This woman did not have any promise she could lay her hands on, but she persisted. The people that know that God created them, and believers that believe that Jesus is their Saviour will keep believing and asking until they receive.
Some people call Jesus Lord, but they get angry and challenge Him almost to the point of blasphemy. They accuse Him of being unfaithful and unfair. How could He allow this happen to them?
vs 27. The woman did not feel offended despite what the Lord said, she still saw Him as Lord. Stop the arguments, Jesus knows all about you, even more about you know about yourself. There is nothing about you hidden from Him. Just go and declare Him Lord regardless of what anyone says.
- THE POWER OF GREAT FAITH. Matthew 15:28
The great faith is that one that will not let go or give up. The faith that will not resign to fate but will keep asking until he or she receives (vs 28) The Lord responded by granting her request. It shall be the same for you, what other people have not got up till now you will get.
Ephesians 3:20
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
ch 6:16
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
- THE PROMISE OF GOD AND ITS FULFILLMENT. Mark 7:31-35
What made these people come to Jesus with different problems?
- THE PROMISE OF THE ALMIGHTY. Isaiah 35:4-5
Know the promise of God that if you fall into any problem, sicknesses, poverty or penury, there are promises to claim in the word of God.
The people with challenges came to Jesus because of the promises which are tucked in the word of God (Isaiah 29:14-18; 32:3-4). The promises will be fulfilled in your life Jesus name.
- THE POSSIBILITIES OF HIS AUTHORITY. Mark 2:12; Luke 4:36;
God is Creator. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. Jesus our Saviour and Deliverer is the Word. He will manifest His power in your life tonight.
Psalm 33:9. He commanded the unclean spirits and none of them refused to leave. Immediately He commanded them, they all departed.
- THE PUBLICITY DESPITE THEIR ASTONISHMENT: Mark 7:36; Luke 8:39-40
Some people say they do not know how to do publicity. Yes, they do. Imagine how a student will feel when he gets 1st class! He will share the testimony everywhere with joy and pride.
The people who received miracles from the Lord could not keep quiet, they kept publicizing it everywhere. It does not take so much to publicize Christ, just be excited about what He has done for you and tell everybody.
Mark 13:10. If the gospel has come to you and you are saved, publicise it. Do not talk about what people are talking about, complaining about the economy and the situation in the country. We as believers must share the good news of the gospel and people’s lives will be transformed in Jesus name.
- THE PERCEPTION OF HIS GREATNESS AND FINALITY. Mark 7:30,37
All the people who came to Him did so after they have exhausted all other avenues for solution. He does all things well and has the finality.
The people searched in all history, they looked at the people in the old testament/covenant, and saw that they have never seen any prophet, priest, preacher or shepherd doing things that way. They saw that Christ could solve all problems far above all the prophets that ever came before Him. You cannot compare Him with any prophet, religious man, He is greater than the greatest of all men.
Matthew 12:41-42. Jesus is greater than Jonah, any contemporary prophets, Solomon despite his greatness, wealth and wisdom.
Luke 7:12-17
12 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.
13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.
14 And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.
15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.
16 And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.
Jesus showed everybody that He is greater than anyone who has ever been before Him.
John 8:53.
Those who go to Jesus and still go to mere mortals do not know the power of God. On Sunday, they go to Christ, and on weekdays, they go to ordinary men who cannot help them but once you know the greatness of Jesus, it will settle in your heart that there is no one like Him (vs 58) Before Abraham, Jesus was here. there is no priesthood like that of Jesus, He is all we need. He will save, heal and deliver all who come to Him. God has given Him a name above every other name: JESUS.
Hebrews 4:14
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Hebrews 13:8,20-21
8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Mark 7:37
Why did they say He has done all things well? They looked at all that Jesus did and they could not hide their astonishment or resist the testimony.
- HE CURED THE MOST INCURABLE:
He healed the woman with the issue of blood who had suffered for 12 years and had spent all she had but did not get any better.
- HE SAVED THE VILEST OF SINNERS:
He forgave the woman with many sins who washed His feet with her tears.
- HE SAVED THE MOST UNCLEAN AND DEFILED PERSONS:
He cleansed and made the lepers whole.
- HE TRANSFORMED THE MOST AVARICIOUS (greedy) OF ALL MEN:
Zacchaeus who grabbed all things in sight till he met Jesus and restituted them all. When you meet Jesus, you are cleansed of all sins. You will go back
- HE CONVERTED THE HARDEST OF ALL SINNERS:
He converted Saul of Tarsus to Paul the Apostle.
- HE TAMED THE MOST VIOLENT OF ALL MEN:
The mad Gadarene. In case you are of a violent temper, He has power to deliver you tonight.
- HE STILLED AND QUIETENED ALL STORMS AND TURBULENCE WITH A WORD:
Peace be still. Tonight, Jesus speaks the same word to every turbulence in your life and situation.
- HE ENLIGHTENED THE DARKEST OF ALL HEARTS:
The man was born blind, he was physically and spiritually healed that he became a teacher of the rulers of the synagogue. He will take away every ignorance in your life tonight.
- HE BROKE THE STRONGEST CHAINS OF BAD HABITS:
If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, old things have passed away. In your life tonight, old things will pass away and all things will become new.
- JESUS TOOK SOMEONE AT THE BRINK OF HELL TO HEAVEN:
The thief on the cross was in a matter of minutes dropping into hell but Jesus saved him, taking him with Him to heaven.
- HE MADE THE INVALID EVERY WHIT WHOLE:
The impotent man who was at the pool of Bethesda for 38 years.
- HE SENT UNLEARNED MEN FORTH INTO THE WORLD TO PREACH
He changed the whole world that looks unchangeable. And from that time, the gospel has circulated round the globe. Only He could do that.
He has appointed us to change the world that looks so unchangeable. He did it through them, He will do it through you, and as from tonight, He will do it through your family, personal life, in your children, local church, your church, your ministries, in everything you represent, in your place of work and community, you will not be the same today, something will happen that all that see you will be astonished, they will be surprised and say, HE HAS DONE ALL THINGS WELL!
