Sometimes we feel that we are being harshly treated by circumstances and life, and therefore can think that God is being harsh toward us. In Mark 7:24-30 it seems as though Jesus is being harsh toward a woman who asks Him to heal her daughter, resisting her pleas.
We have two tendencies when this happens. One is to think we don’t deserve this, that we’ve always tried to do the right thing, and therefore we get offended with others and cross with God because things seem to be against us. The other tendency is to indulge in self-misery, think that, of course circumstances, others and God are against us, since we are hopeless individuals who always fail, and don’t deserve anything better.
The woman in the Gospel does neither of these things. Instead, she holds firmly to the truth that she has heard about Jesus, and acts on it.
Firstly, she acknowledges that she is indeed undeserving of any of God’s gifts – i.e., that she is a sinner. She doesn’t get offended. Secondly, she says that she believes the truth that Jesus is merciful and gracious precisely to those who are underserving. Jesus responds to the woman by opening His heart to her and healing her daughter.
Cling to the truth of the grace of Jesus Christ!
Grace and cheers, Jonathan.