Act Boldly in Faith
|
Key Verse: “And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.” Lesson Scripture: |
DURING OUR LORD’S earthly ministry he performed many wonderful miracles which served as illustrations of the future blessings he has in store for the poor groaning creation during the times of restitution. These miracles included the healing of all manner of disease, the casting out of unclean spirits, and an awakening from the sleep of death. As marvelous as these special blessings were, however, they were only examples of the greater power that will be exercised on behalf of the whole human family under the terms of the New Covenant. Then, all the faithful and obedient will be given an opportunity to be lifted up, and restored to perfect human life.
A certain degree of faith was usually evident by those who were participants in these miracles. Faith makes our Lord’s teachings more meaningful. In addition, there is another measure by which we can gauge the Master’s power to bless. This is manifested by the astonished bystanders who watched him perform these mighty acts. Although they witnessed only the temporary opening of blind eyes, and deaf ears, they also beheld the eyes and ears of understanding being opened at that time.
The Key Verse and scriptural references for this lesson include two occasions where Jesus used the great power God had given to him to perform these miracles. The lesson begins with Jesus leaving the place where he was to journey toward the provinces of Tyre and Sidon.—Mark 7:24
It was there that he entered a house and secluded himself, wishing that no one would know of his whereabouts. His power, however, was about to be manifested in a remarkable way. “A certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet: The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it unto the dogs. And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs. And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.”—vss. 25-29
Jesus taught an important lesson in the performance of this miracle. He reminded the woman that her request was inappropriate. The Israelites were the first, or favored children of God, and that she, as a Greek, could not hope for anything more than crumbs of blessing that might be cast under the table for Gentile dogs. Because of her faith, however, Jesus cast the demon from her child, and proclaimed that she had been made whole.
The prophecy of Daniel 9:25,26, known as the promise of 70 weeks of favor, or 490 years, based on a year for each day (see Ezekiel 4:6), promised exclusive favor for this period to Israel. The last seven years of this favor began with the ministry of Jesus, their Messiah. He faithfully observed this favor and had no blessing to give to Gentiles. This Syro-Phoenician woman was an exception, as was the Roman centurion mentioned in Matthew 8:5-12. Both could not be ignored because of their great faith, and their loved ones were healed by Jesus.