Devotional 3-3-08

The Lectionary Readings for this date are: Psalms89:1-52; Genesis 49:1-28; First Corinthians 10:14-11:1; Mark 7: 24-37.

Psalms sing praises to God; Genesis covers Jacob’s blessings to his 12 sons, and 1 Corinthians tells us not to worship idols nor make sacrifices to them nor eat food that was used as a sacrifice. The Seventh Chapter of Mark, verses 24 thru 37 seemed to touch my thoughts about Lent this season.

Jesus went to the region of Tyre and entered into a private house and did not want anyone to know that he was there. Yet, he could not escape notice. A Gentile woman came to ask him to heal her daughter who had an unclean spirit. Jesus said to her that the children should be fed first and the rest be cast to the dogs. The Jews were the children and the dogs were the Gentiles. The woman said that this was true but the dogs eat the children’s crumbs under the table. Jesus said for this saying, she should go home and find the devil out of her daughter who would be lying on the bed.

Jesus had hoped to conceal himself but it did not happen. He also showed that he did not have to have the daughter of the Gentile woman present to heal her. Jesus was very humble but people sought him no matter where he would go. This would eventually lead to his death on the cross and He knew it.

Departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, Jesus came to the Sea of Galilee, through the mist of the coasts of Decapolis. Here they brought him a deaf and blind man to be healed. Jesus took him away from the multitude and healed him. Again, he did not want praise but all learned about it.

Even though Jesus knew that his popularity would lead to His demise, he could not refuse to help those who needed him. During these days of Lent, let us remember that He knew but could not stop helping His people. Jesus always looked up to the Heaven as he cured the sick; His Heavenly Father gave Him the means to cure. Let us each day look up to our Heavenly Father as we approach Easter morning when we celebrate His Son’s rising from the tomb.

Carol Brown