Devotion by Pastor John Weber

Mark 7: 24-30

I hope you will take time to read this passage.  It is one of the most difficult passages of scripture in that it is hard to understand the harsh words of Jesus when he says to a woman who asks for his help to heal her daughter, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.”  What a response!  How could Jesus call this woman a dog and ignore her request for help for her child?  That is a topic for a Sunday Sermon : (“A Referees’ Call!)

Like this passage, there are things that happen in life that we just don’t understand.  The Bible is filled with questions of why the good suffer and the evil prosper.  It just doesn’t seem fair at times and we question our faith in a just God.  The key to understanding is a simple word Faith, easy to say but hard to live.

I remember a story called “Pickup in the Rain”  One night, at 11:30pm; an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm.  Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride.  Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car.  A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960’s.  The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab.   She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. 

Now we could stop here and it would be a great story of help and rescue in a time of need.  Yet there are times when the unexpected happens and God’s purpose is exposed as it was with the woman who asked Jesus for help. 

The story continues: Seven days went by and a knock came on the man’s door.  To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home.  A special note was attached:

“Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night.  The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits.  Then you came along.  Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband’s bedside just before he passed away… God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others.”  Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole.

We are called to live our faith.  The anonymous woman Jesus talked to did.  She was determined and would not let anything stop her faith in Jesus and his healing power.  There will be times when we will feel hard pressed to help, work or worship because of our schedules or because we are exhausted, or our own personal wants.  Yet what we do in Christ’s name can make a difference.  Live your faith no matter how hard it may be.