And from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house and did not want anyone to know, yet he could not be hidden.

Mark 7:24-37

And from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house and did not want anyone to know, yet he could not be hidden. Mark 7:24

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 7:24-37.  Excerpts from the commentary's introduction to the entirety of the text and for the first (of two) division (vv24-30):

• The title for the commentary's chapter: "Jesus Christ: The God Who Astonishes."  The main idea is "[n]o one is so unworthy that they cannot receive the blessing of Jesus Christ."  
•  "Mark sets side by side two healing miracles that take place in pagan, Gentile territory. One is the healing of a demon-possessed little girl (vv24-30). The other is the healing of a deaf man with a speech impediment (vv31-37). Both demonstrate that God’s kingdom has come and that Jesus is God’s man for all peoples. Contrary to religious and racial bigots, no one is so unclean that they cannot receive the blessing and the touch of Jesus Christ—the God who astonishes (v37)."
• For the first division, the title is: "Jesus Is the Savior Who Cannot Be Hidden."
• "Our Lord knew that His Father had mapped out His life from beginning to end. It would involve days of happiness as well as times of trial and opposition, pressure and disappointment. Jesus has just engaged the Pharisees in a heated discussion over religion versus the gospel (vv1-23). Things are building to an inevitable showdown that will result in His crucifixion. However, it is not yet the appointed time." 
• Jesus went to Phoenicia to get rest and to escape notice.  But not in v24 how He could not be hidden. 
•  We should note how "[a]s best we can tell, this is the only time Jesus ventured beyond the borders of Israel. Further, Tyre and Sidon were inhabited by pagan Gentiles, and the region had a long history of opposition to Israel. This had been the home of Jezebel (1 Kings 16:31-32). Both Ezekiel (ch. 26) and Zechariah (ch. 9) prophesied against her."
• "Jesus goes there and graciously expands the scope and reach of the Messiah beyond what Israel expected. Unfortunately, like Jonah, too many Jews of that day could not imagine that God would extend His salvation beyond the borders of Israel...This Savior is not for just one nation. He is for all nations, and we should be as well." 
• "A pagan, Gentile woman could not have been further from “the citizenship of Israel” (Ephesians 2:12). No doubt she knew how socially unacceptable it was for her to approach a Jewish rabbi on any level. Yet she “kept on asking” Jesus “to drive the demon out of her daughter.” She came boldly but humbly (“she fell at His feet”), and she was persistent."
•  The commentary shares how the words used by Jesus in His response to the Gentile woman is not one of insult but of clarification that He first seeks to save the Jews then the Gentiles. See also Romans 1:16.
• The Pagan woman's response is of that shared by any parent desperate to help their child.  She is willing to eat the scraps from the table that have fallen to the floor - just so she can have for her daughter a taste of the healing power Jesus offers. 
• "What a magnificent picture of salvation we have in this story! Yes Lord, we are all dogs under the table with no rights whatsoever as members of the family. I acknowledge I don’t deserve a place at the table, but I believe there is enough even for me on the table! Just a few crumbs will be enough. That I believe. Then in amazing grace and mercy our Savior lifts us up, no longer a dog (sinner) but a child (saved), no longer under the table but now a member of the family at the table."

Such desperation and complete dependence on Jesus is how we are to approach Him.  We all sin and need a Savior (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8).  We are completely and utterly dependent on God for every detail of our lives both physical and spiritual.  We must acknowledge our spiritual state and go to Him in desperation - see also Psalm 42:1-2.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that loves and saves...You go after the one sheep who is lost just to save it...that is me and every other believer...thank You for coming after me and for saving me!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out daily for me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.