Mark 7:24-30 “What Love Did”

Mark 7:24-30 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• How He Loves Us – John Mark McMillan
• One Thing Remains – Jesus Culture
• Even When It Hurts (Praise Song) – Hillsong United
• After The Dark Days – WELOVE (Korean Praise with ENG SUB)

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• A woman’s faith (Mark 7:24-30) – Bible Story for Kids
• The Love of God | HLA Athens VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Nothing Is Impossible by Planetshakers performed by Grace Chapel Kids – Song for Kids
• Give All Your Worries to God (1 Peter 5:7) | HLA Athens VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth located in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

Jesus took his disciples to the region of Tyre (v. 24). Although this land traditionally belonged to the tribe of Asher in Israel, during Jesus’ time, it was considered Gentile territory. Jesus went there to find a moment of rest. However, people quickly gathered around him as the news about him spread.

Among those who came was a woman whose daughter was suffering from an unclean spirit (v. 25). She pleaded with Jesus to heal her child. Mark took special care to describe the woman’s background in detail (v. 26). However, Jesus initially responded with a striking statement: “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs” (v. 27). At that time, Jewish people often referred to Gentiles as “dogs,” which was considered an offensive comparison. It is shocking to see Jesus using such a seemingly discriminatory and harsh metaphor.

In response to this seemingly insulting remark, the woman humbly replied, “Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs” (v. 28). She was essentially saying that she did not care how she was treated as long as her daughter could be healed. Jesus was moved by her response and granted her request, healing her daughter (vv. 29-30). Here, it became clear that Jesus’ initial cold and seemingly contemptuous words were not his true intent. Instead, this exchange revealed something deeper about faith, humility, and the boundless reach of God’s love.

Meditation:

During his public ministry, Jesus primarily focused on “the lost sheep of Israel” (Matt. 10:6) because he believed that the gospel had to be proclaimed to the Jews first. However, this did not mean he rejected the Gentiles. Jesus treated those who came to him with the same compassion as he did the Jews, and he even visited Gentile cities for brief periods. Yet, according to God’s divine plan, the gospel was to be first revealed to the Jewish people. Only after Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross and his resurrection from the dead would the message of salvation extend fully to the Gentiles.

When Jesus responded to the woman’s plea with the words, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs” (v. 27), he was undoubtedly mindful of God’s plan for the spread of the gospel. As he illustrated in the Parable of the Growing Seed (Mark 4:26-29), the Kingdom of God expands through a process and in stages. Salvation was always meant for all people, but it had to begin in Jerusalem before reaching the ends of the earth.

Even so, Jesus’ response to the desperate woman seems unusually cold and indifferent, so unlike the compassionate figure we see in other stories. This suggests that his words were not a “mistake” but rather a “deliberate challenge” to test the woman’s heart. Jesus probed the depth of her faith and persistence using a common Jewish expression of the time. The woman’s response was astonishing. It was neither witty banter nor a clever comeback—it was an expression of deep, sacrificial love for her daughter. She essentially said, “I do not care if I am treated as a dog. Just save my child.” Her love was so relentless that it moved Jesus. Seeing her faith and devotion, He granted her request and healed her daughter.

What this woman did was a small yet profound foreshadowing of what Jesus himself would ultimately do. Just as she was willing to endure humiliation and be treated as insignificant for the sake of saving her daughter, Jesus willingly took on the disgrace of being falsely accused as a criminal. He bore the most shameful and despised punishment of his time—the cross—for the salvation of all humanity. The driving force behind the woman’s humility and persistence was her deep love for her child. In the same way, Jesus endured suffering and shame because of his unwavering love for humanity. It was love that compelled both of them—the mother for her daughter, and Christ for the world.

Prayer:

That woman’s daughter likely never knew how much her mother sacrificed for her salvation. Though she received the gift of life, she may have grown up unaware of the depth of her mother’s love. But when she finally matured and realized it, how overwhelmed she must have been! Lord, as I reflect on this, I see that we are just like that daughter. While we were still sinners—before we even understood what sin was—you saved us with your eternal love. Yet, we often fail to recognize the greatness of this love and take your amazing grace for granted. Oh Lord, awaken our hearts so that we may truly grasp the depth of your love. Let us not only receive it but also live by it, sharing it with others. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: God’s love is relentless, and faith requires persistence. Just like the mother in the story who never gave up on her daughter, Jesus showed his great love for us by sacrificing himself on the cross. Even when things seem unfair or difficult, we can trust in God’s love and keep seeking him with faith.

• For Preschool-Lower Elementary
  • What did the mommy do to help her daughter?
  • How does Jesus show His love for us?
• For Upper Elementary-Middle School
  • Jesus’ response to the woman seemed harsh at first. Why do you think he tested her faith?
  • How does this story remind us of what Jesus did on the cross for us?
• For High School
  • The mother in the story was willing to humble herself for her daughter. What does this tell us about sacrificial love?
  • What are some challenges you face in trusting God? How can this story encourage you in your faith journey?