Devotion: Abundance

Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an impure spirit came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.
“First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
“Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”
Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.”
She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone. Mark 7:24-30

Have you ever been asked to do something you really didn’t want to do? Your job description is clear, but someone persists in asking for more of your time, talent, or resources. You have your argument ready but they come back with a really good reason for helping. In your heart, you know it is the right thing to do.

Jesus met such a woman, a Greek Gentile, a despised Syro-phoenician. Even that word sounded like trouble. She knew He had healed before, so she sought Him out. She spoke to Him before He spoke to her. Trouble!

Why did Jesus heal her daughter? Faith. He saw in her spunk, persistence, and the spirit of a new Christian. According to scripture, Jesus was on this earth for the Children of Israel, to ‘feed’ them, not a desperate Greek woman. He tells her so, but she retorts that even dogs get to eat crumbs. She knew in Jesus’ eyes, she was a dog, not a chosen one.

We are often asked to help people who aren’t ‘our’ people. Through giving to charities, our time, our talents, our prayers, we are asked to go beyond the circle we usually are associated with.

When I think of abundance, I only have to look in my pantry, my refrigerator, and freezer. There is enough food there to feed a small army. Not every home in Lincoln, Nebraska, the U.S. or the world can say that. In Sheridan’s sermon series, we’ve been focusing on poverty in our community. What are we asked to do help those who are desperate for food, medical care, or clothing?

Even though helping may be out of our comfort zone, we look to Jesus as an example. Consider sharing your time, talents, food, and treasures. Would Jesus say to you, as recorded in Matthew’s telling of this same story, “Your faith is great!”?

Dear Jesus- Help us give to others because it is the right thing to do. Give us strength and wisdom to discern how we can make this world better in Your sight. Keep our faith great! Amen.

This devotion is written by Cindy Swanson.

If you would like to serve as a member of the Sheridan Lutheran Writing Team and help to write devotions based on the text for the weekend, contact Amy Wagner.

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