Pleading for Mercy Mark 7:24-30 SS Lesson for 10/18/2009

Pleading for Mercy Mark 7:24-30 SS Lesson for 10/18/2009 Devotional Scripture: Heb 11:1-39 OUTLINE INTRODUCTION OVERVIEW AND APPROACH TO LESSON LESSON INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND From the NIV Standard Lesson Commentary From the Bible Expositor and Illuminator MAJOR THEME ANALYSIS REQUEST FOR MERCY (MARK 7:24-26) Requesting mercy through approaching Jesus Approach Jesus because God doesn't want anyone to perish, but come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9) Approach Jesus because He is the Great High Priest (Heb 4:14-16) Approach Jesus because all are one in Jesus (Gal 3:26-29) Approach Jesus because of being justified through faith (Rom 5:1-2) Approach Jesus because He provides the access to God (Eph 2:16-18) Approach Jesus because through Him there is freedom and confidence in approaching God (Eph 3:12) Approach Jesus because through His body and sacrifice there is cleansing from sin and guilt (Heb 10:19-22) Requesting mercy through being persistent Persistence with God (from "ABCs for Christian Growth, The Prayer Filled Life", by J. Hampton Keathley III) Purpose of Persistence (Luke 11:9-10) The Prescription for Persistent (from "ABCs for Christian Growth, The Prayer Filled Life", by J. Hampton Keathley III) - Luke 11:9-10 Keep on Asking Keep on Seeking Keep on Knocking RESPONSE OF MERCY (MARK 7:27-30) Response of testing faith Faith is worth testing (from the Bible Expositor and Illuminator) Response of testing worthiness (Luke 7:2-9) Response of testing because God is the God of both Jews and Gentiles (Rom 3:29-30) Response of testing because God promised to bless all who call upon Him (Rom 10:12-13) Response of testing because Jesus is the only One who has the words of eternal life (John 6:67-69) Response of testing because of wanting to be a part of Jesus (John 13:6-9) Response of being rewarded Rewarded with healing (Mark 5:31-34) Rewarded with mercy and grace (Heb 4:16) Rewarded with answered prayer (Acts 4:23-31) Rewarded with competency that comes from God (2 Cor 3:4-5) Rewarded because God promised it (Heb 10:35) Rewarded with God's help (Heb 13:6) CONCLUSION AND OTHER THOUGHTS CONCLUDING THOUGHTS FROM THE NIV STANDARD LESSON COMMENTARY CONCLUDING THOUGHTS FROM THE BIBLE EXPOSITOR AND ILLUMINATOR PRACTICAL POINTS FROM THE BIBLE EXPOSITOR AND ILLUMINATOR HEART OF THE LESSON FROM THE BIBLE EXPOSITOR AND ILLUMINATOR The plea of a distressed Gentile mother (Mark 7:24-26) Pleading for Mercy Page 1 of 10 SS Lesson for 10/18/09

The challenge from the compassionate Jesus (Mark 7:27-28) The healing of a demon-possessed daughter (Mark 7:29-30) Pleading for Mercy Page 2 of 10 SS Lesson for 10/18/09

Introduction Overview and Approach to Lesson The detail of the lesson came from a previous SS Lesson dated 03/05/2003. The lesson reviews the faith and persistence in pleading for Mercy. The study's aim is to learn that the way to God is only through the door of His mercy. The study's application is to see that we can access God by pleading for His mercy in the times of our need. Lesson Introduction and Background From the NIV Standard Lesson Commentary Who Belongs and Who Does Not Who belongs at church? Most of us would say everyone belongs or maybe sinners belong. And we would be right. But what impression do we often give about who belongs at church? By the way we dress or speak or act, we may give some the impression that only those who have their lives in order belong there. We may communicate that the church is only for people who are disciplined, wise, and strong. Those with worries or problems or hurts may get the feeling that church is not for them. We are not the first to leave that impression. Jesus confronted it over and over in his ministry. He challenged those who thought that only people who appear righteous could belong to God. He welcomed those who knew that they desperately needed what only he could give. Today s text presents two people whose desperate need was obvious. One was a complete outsider, a person commonly thought to have no claim to God s blessing. The other was one whose pitiable condition was unmistakable. Jesus used both situations to remind his disciples of his ability to help those with the most desperate needs. Lesson Background The first of today s two stories occurs in the area of Tyre and Sidon. These two cities were on the east coast of the Mediterranean Sea, to the north of Galilee. In the Old Testament, Tyre and Sidon were notorious centers for the worship of the pagan god Baal. Jezebel, who married King Ahab of Israel and attempted to establish Baal as Israel s god, was the daughter of the king of Sidon (1 Kings 16:31). Thus for the Jewish people of Jesus time, the region and its people were associated historically with the worst kind of paganism. The healing of the deaf and mute man takes place in a similar area. Jesus meets the man in the Decapolis (literally, ten cities ), a region to the east and south of the Sea of Galilee. For three centuries before Jesus, that region had been populated mostly with people who adopted Greek culture, customs, and religion. Though many Jews lived there, it was pagan territory in the minds of Jesus contemporaries. This was also the region where Jesus cast out the legion of unclean spirits from a man in Mark 5:1 20, the text discussed in last week s lesson. In Mark these events follow a long discussion that Jesus has with the Jewish religious leaders about what constitutes true purity and impurity (Mark 7:1 23). Today we will see Jesus meet two people who were commonly judged to be impure. How he responded to them is a continuation of his teaching on true purity. This is a demonstration of what it really takes to belong to the people of God. From the Bible Expositor and Illuminator In this world it is not always easy to discern who is our friend and who is our enemy, who means us well and who means us harm. There is the silken-tongued politician who promises the world but only delivers more grief. On the other hand, there is the poorly spoken man who despite all appearances has a heart of gold and the best intentions. It takes a great deal of wisdom to cut through the way things sound to what they really are. In the spiritual realm, the indispensable tool of discernment is faith. In our lesson text this week, Jesus spoke in a surprising way to test the faith of a supplicant. The Lord Jesus was showing that a new standard of evaluation was needed if a person wanted to be a part of His kingdom. It would not be enough to conform to a certain set of external practices. Hebrews 11:6 declares that "without faith it is impossible to please [God]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." As the old childhood mealtime prayer begins, "God is great. God is good." Do we have this childlike trust in Him no matter how much dark circumstances may cast doubt on the Pleading for Mercy Page 3 of 10 SS Lesson for 10/18/09

Lord's good intentions? Do we trust Christ enough to plead with Him for mercy? Our lesson this week shows that God calls us to partake in covenant living only through the gateway of mercy. We do not deserve it, but He allows us to experience His blessings through His mercy. Major Theme Analysis (Scriptural Text from the New King James Version; cross-references from the NIV) Request for Mercy (Mark 7:24-26) 24 Jesus got up and went away from there to the region of Tyre. And when He had entered a house, He wanted no one to know of it; yet He could not escape notice. 25 But after hearing of Him, a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately came and fell at His feet. 26 Now the woman was a Gentile, of the Syrophoenician race. And she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter. Requesting mercy through approaching Jesus Approach Jesus because God doesn't want anyone to perish, but come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9) 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. Approach Jesus because He is the Great High Priest (Heb 4:14-16) 14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Approach Jesus because all are one in Jesus (Gal 3:26-29) 26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Approach Jesus because of being justified through faith (Rom 5:1-2) 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Approach Jesus because He provides the access to God (Eph 2:16-18) 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Approach Jesus because through Him there is freedom and confidence in approaching God (Eph 3:12) 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. Pleading for Mercy Page 4 of 10 SS Lesson for 10/18/09

Approach Jesus because through His body and sacrifice there is cleansing from sin and guilt (Heb 10:19-22) 19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Requesting mercy through being persistent Persistence with God (from "ABCs for Christian Growth, The Prayer Filled Life", by J. Hampton Keathley III) Persistent prayer is part of God s training school. Here again, as Murray reminds us, it is a test of our friendship with God, of how well we know Him as our heavenly Friend and Father, and of how committed we are to knowing the Lord and finding His will. Persistent prayer demonstrates our knowledge and confidence in our Friend and Heavenly Father. It greatly glorifies God because it shows we are resting in His wisdom and love. The lack of an immediate answer does not turn us away in disgust or cause fear or doubt and frustration. Why? Because we know our heavenly Friend and Father. Do we understand all that God is doing? No, not really. Is it easy? No. Persistent prayer demonstrates the maturity of our faith or the lack of it and so also our need of understanding God, His plan, principles, promises, and purposes. It demonstrates our need of faith, of wisdom and biblical values and priorities along with patience and an eternal perspective. A mature or growing faith sees and believes the promises of God, embracing them with persistence even though the answer is not immediately forthcoming (Heb. 11:13, 39). (Heb 11:13, 39) 13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. Mature faith knows that God will answer in a better time and in a better way. Purpose of Persistence (Luke 11:9-10) 9 "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Personal Commentary The purpose of persistence in prayer is to find in God all needs and requests. The emphasis here is that God knows what I need and what I desire better than I do and before I do. My part in prayer is to recognize that fact through prayer. The three actions described in these verses are ask, seek and knock. In my asking, it represents that my desires must match God's (John 15:7; Ps 37:4-5). Seeking is to strive for or to earnestly have as a goal to achieve. In my prayers, I am to be earnest and have no doubts that God is the supplier and that He is faithful (Phil 4:19; Heb 11:6). To knock is to request entry and to announce your presence. God knows that I exist and where I am, therefore to knock in prayer means to request entrance into His intimacy and fellowship (1 John 3:18-22; Heb 4:16). Knowing that God is always available and does not move or change, it is my back-sliding that has caused my loss of fellowship. Therefore, I must pray for reconciliation and cleansing to return into that intimacy that only God has and can give (1 John 1:7; Rom 5:11; 1 Cor 1:9). To summarize, in prayer I am to ensure my desires match God's by relying on the Holy Spirit, I am to earnestly seek God to supply all my needs and requests, and I am to request of God to reconcile me so that I will be in intimate fellowship with Him. Pleading for Mercy Page 5 of 10 SS Lesson for 10/18/09

The Prescription for Persistent (from "ABCs for Christian Growth, The Prayer Filled Life", by J. Hampton Keathley III) - Luke 11:9-10 Keep on Asking This is a command to keep on bringing our request, keep on coming to the Lord with the need and the issue. Don t give up or faint. Don t throw in the towel. We are to persevere before the Lord in our requests. But how? Keep on Seeking Some see this as just another way of saying the same thing, but I believe this is a call for searching and discovery in the midst of continuing to pray. I believe this means more than just asking or seeking for the thing requested. This means, in our prayers and through the prayerful reading and study of the Word, we are to search for God s will and the lessons He want us to learn. Pray for spiritual wisdom and understanding and for that which God is doing in the situation (James 1:5). We need to ask questions like: What is God seeking to teach me or us? Is the Lord wanting to take us in another direction or is the timing just all wrong for now? Is He wanting to develop our patience, trust, change our values, or reveal the wrong sources of happiness or sources of self-trust and self-management? Keep on Knocking This is a call for expectant waiting in our prayers. Don t give up and go away. Don t stop. Stay, wait and rest the matter in the Lord s hands and timing. We have here the principle of waiting on the Lord, of the faith-rest life resting patiently by faith in God s wisdom and love. The answer and revelation of what God is doing will come. Just trust in the goodness and wisdom of God. With that in mind, the Lord quickly focuses our attention on the nature of God and our relationship with Him as our heavenly Father as believers in Christ. Why? To encourage us to keep on asking, seeking, and knocking. God is a faithful father kind of God. Response of Mercy (Mark 7:27-30) 27 And He was saying to her, "Let the children be satisfied first, for it is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." 28 But she answered and said to Him, "Yes, Lord, but even the dogs under the table feed on the children's crumbs." 29 And He said to her, "Because of this answer go; the demon has gone out of your daughter." 30 And going back to her home, she found the child lying on the bed, the demon having left. Response of testing faith Faith is worth testing (from the Bible Expositor and Illuminator) A faith that is worth having is one that can be tested. This the Lord proceeded to do in His verbal exchange with this Gentile woman. Jesus declared that one s children should be fed before taking care of animals. It seems clear that He used the word children to represent the Jews, whereas the dogs represented the Gentiles. Though the words of Jesus to the woman might sound somewhat harsh to our ears, the word translated dogs in Mark 7:27 actually meant a little dog, a puppy (Vine, An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words,Revell). In all likelihood, Christ was using this approach to test the genuineness of the woman s faith. Elsewhere, dogs are used as a symbol of contempt (Matt. 7:6; Phil. 3:2; Rev. 22:15). Response of testing worthiness (Luke 7:2-9) 2 There a centurion's servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, "This man deserves to have Pleading for Mercy Page 6 of 10 SS Lesson for 10/18/09

you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue." 6 So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." 9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel." Response of testing because God is the God of both Jews and Gentiles (Rom 3:29-30) 29 Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. Response of testing because God promised to bless all who call upon Him (Rom 10:12-13) 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile-the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Response of testing because Jesus is the only One who has the words of eternal life (John 6:67-69) 67 "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve. 68 Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." Response of testing because of wanting to be a part of Jesus (John 13:6-9) 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" 7 Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." 8 "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." 9 "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!" Response of being rewarded Rewarded with healing (Mark 5:31-34) 31 "You see the people crowding against you," his disciples answered, "and yet you can ask, 'Who touched me?'" 32 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. 33 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering." Rewarded with mercy and grace (Heb 4:16) 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Rewarded with answered prayer (Acts 4:23-31) 23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: "'Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.' 27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your Pleading for Mercy Page 7 of 10 SS Lesson for 10/18/09

servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." 31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. Rewarded with competency that comes from God (2 Cor 3:4-5) 4 Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. 5 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. Rewarded because God promised it (Heb 10:35) 35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. Rewarded with God's help (Heb 13:6) 6 So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" Conclusion and Other Thoughts Concluding Thoughts from the NIV Standard Lesson Commentary Jesus used his encounters with the Syrophoenician woman and the man who was deaf and mute to show us the kind of person who can receive his salvation. If we imagine that we have good standing with God because of who we are or what we have done, we place ourselves beyond the reach of God s grace. But when we recognize how helpless we are and how deeply we need what only Jesus can give, he is ready to give us what we need. The people who most needed this lesson in the first century were Jesus closest followers. That is a caution to us! It is easy for us to become proud, self-satisfied, and self-reliant when we have known the Lord for a long time. We can become so accustomed to belonging to him that we forget how we became his in the first place. To receive his blessing, we have to get over ourselves and learn to trust him completely. Concluding Thoughts from the Bible Expositor and Illuminator This week's text shows us a different problem from those we are used to seeing. Mark noted that the woman here was "a Greek, a Syrophenician." In other words, she was a Gentile. The Jews were God's people, and they knew it. In fact, they were quite proud of it. They should not have been, for it had everything to do with God and nothing to do with them. They did not make the choice; God did. But because the Jews were so proud, they looked down on those not chosen the Gentiles. We can be guilty of the same thing. In fact, the Apostle Paul dealt with this attitude in Romans 11. Paul was warning the Gentiles who had become Christians not to be proud of their status. He used the analogy of a tree with branches grafted in. "Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not high-minded, but fear: for if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee" (vss. 19-21). There is no room for pride in the body of Christ. Salvation is all of God. Since this woman was a Gentile, she knew that she was asking a lot to have Jesus heal her daughter. Jesus did point out that His ministry was to His own people. He used the analogy of taking bread from the children (the Jews) and casting it to the dogs (Mark 7:27). She picked up the analogy and pointed out that the dogs eat the crumbs under the table. In other words, even a small miracle would suffice for her. It is noteworthy how this woman asked Jesus to heal her daughter. The word "besought" is one that is usually used to request a person to do something rather than give something. That certainly applies here. It can be translated "begged." This word shows her desperation the desperation of a woman for her child. A mother will do almost anything for her child. We certainly know that from our lives today. And from looking at the text, it is obvious that it has always been that way. We cannot tell how old the woman's daughter was, but it seems clear that she was still under the woman's care. She was what we would Pleading for Mercy Page 8 of 10 SS Lesson for 10/18/09

call a minor. How did this girl come under the control of a demon? That is hard to say. It could be because of the religion the woman practiced. Any religion or religious practice that is not based on the living God is wrong. That may seem obvious, but it needs to be said. There is only one God and one way to God (cf. John 14:6), but Satan has millions of wrong ways, alt leading to him. It is also interesting that the woman's daughter was not with her (Mark 7:29). This could have been because the demon was in such control of her that she would not go with her mother. This had no effect on Jesus' ability to cast the demon out, of course. Since He is God, He is all-powerful. Jesus showed His compassion on this Gentile woman. What a great God we serve! Practical Points from the Bible Expositor and Illuminator 1. Effective ministry often requires times of seclusion and rest (Mark 7:24) 2. God's work is not limited by ethnic or national boundaries (vs. 25-26) 3. If our faith is never challenged, it will never grow strong and consistent (vs. 27) 4. Persistence is a mark of genuine faith (vs. 28) 5. Our requests of God become effective when they are made in faith (Mark 7:29; cf. Jas. 1:5-6; 5:16-18) 6. Prayer is the most effective weapon against Satan's attacks (Mark 7:30) Heart of the Lesson from the Bible Expositor and Illuminator Jesus left Israel for Gentile territory, where He granted a specific plea for mercy. The uniqueness of this miracle was the extension of God's grace to a Gentile woman. She came to Jesus pleading for mercy. She displayed a humble respect for Jesus and belief in His compassion and power to deliver. In so doing, she was an example for both Jews and Gentiles. The plea of a distressed Gentile mother (Mark 7:24-26) Jesus traveled into the region of the cities of Tyre and Sidon, which were located on the Mediterranean coast north of Israel. He went there to be free from the crowds and possibly to spend time instructing His disciples. However, while in a certain house, His privacy was interrupted by an unnamed woman of Greek descent from the Phoenician region, which belonged to Syria. After hearing about Jesus, this woman approached Him due to her great distress. She had a daughter who was demon possessed. She realized that the only hope for her daughter was Jesus. Falling at Jesus' feet, this Gentile mother interceded for her daughter's deliverance. She begged for mercy, for that was all that she could hope for. The challenge from the compassionate Jesus (Mark 7:27-28) Jesus at first declined to grant the woman's request. His response seemed uncharacteristic of Him, but it was intended to be a test of her faith as well as an illustration of His priority of ministry. Jesus reminded the woman that during mealtime it was not appropriate to feed the dogs (meaning little dogs, or house pets) from the table before the children finished eating. The dogs had to wait. The illustration had to do with Jesus' ministry. It was a ministry that focused on the Jews first in concert with the divine plan of salvation that would eventually reach both Jews and the Gentiles (Rom. 1:16). His occasional trips into Gentile territory attested to His ultimate intention that all, both Jews and Gentiles, should place their faith in Him. The woman was not to be denied. She accepted the truth Jesus affirmed, realizing He had the right to refuse her as a Gentile. Nonetheless, she pressed Jesus further. Her faith had been challenged by His seeming reluctance to grant her request, but she could not wait because of her daughter's critical condition. There was no question about this mother's compassionate care for her daughter or her faith in the mercy and power of Christ. She picked up Jesus' illustration and used it to further plead her case. She pointed out that even the household pets get some crumbs that fall from the table while the children are eating. There was no need to interrupt His ministry; she just wanted a crumb. In her humility she assumed the position of a household dog. She wanted just a small benefit of His mercy. She was willing to receive whatever He would give her. A crumb was all that was needed to heal her daughter. She knew that Jesus had a heart of compassion. Pleading for Mercy Page 9 of 10 SS Lesson for 10/18/09

The healing of a demon-possessed daughter (Mark 7:29-30) Because of her humility and bold pleading of faith, Jesus granted her request. He sent this Gentile mother home with the promise that her daughter had been freed from her demon possession. Jesus declared that her daughter was healed without His even setting eyes on her. The woman returned home to find her daughter delivered from her affliction and resting peacefully in bed. Pleading for Mercy Page 10 of 10 SS Lesson for 10/18/09