Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-02
CONTEXT


thousand, studied last week. Jesus retired to
a mountain to pray. Shortly after he Joined
the disciples who had taken boat to cross
the sea, and he Gained the storm and passed
with them to Gennesaret- There he healed
many sick people who were brought to him.
The multitudes who had witnessed the mir
acles Soon gathered about him in great
numbers, and there followed that interest
Ing series Of conversations which are re-
corded only In the sixth chapter OF Johns
gospel In this some Of the disciples were
confused and some left him. 1t was at the
close OF that extended interview with the
populace that the Pharisees gathered about,
thinking the time favorable for their In
triguee But Jesus exposed their hypocrisy.
knowing that conspiracies were forming
against him he determined to retire into OBJ
scurity.
RBTREAT-Journeyfng in a north
westerly direction, Jesus turned hts back
upon his native land and entered into the
borders Qhe coasta) OF Tyre and Sidon
CMatt. xv:2D. These ancient cities were
renowned as the most important seaports
Of King Hiram Il Kings ix:12), whose skill.
60 workmen prepared timber for the temple
at Jerusalem in the time Of David. For
many centuries 1t was famous for COM
merce, and bore the title Queen Of the
Sea-" Sidon. written also Zidon CLOS xi:s).
was metropolis OF q district which Aeems
to have embraced several states. The peo-
PIE were noted for their luxurious living;
iii:D. Homer speaks of the Zidonian bowl
bestowed by Achilles as a prize ana Of a
beautiful robe to Minerva the handiwork
OF Zidonian women. Pliny and others men,
ton the merchants Of Zidon and describe
their wealth. It was In that region that
Jesus sought repose. Removed from the
jealousy and hatred, the hypocrisy and big
otry OF the Jews. He would enjoy among
heathen strangers cornYpunfon with disciples
and gain refreshment for future service.
SUPPIIANT-But He could not be
concealed. His fame had gone abroad, be-
yond the confines Of His own country. even
deeds had awakened hope In the hearts OF
the suffering and sorrowing everywhere.
and they waited only for an opportunity TO
seek His aid While the little band, the
Master and the twelve, were passing along
the way passionate cry was heard. 1t
was this voice Of a woman. a resident In
those parts. Have mercy on me- she
pleaded, Knowing that she could expect no
favor except as gratuity CMatt., xv:22).
She had been well instructed, for she add
ed. 20 Lord, thou Son Of David" form of
my daughter is vexed with a devil" she
continued. During our Lords ministry
demons took possession of people and con-
trolled their action in distressing way
and test His power, presenting phenomena
never witnessed before or since. These
words, uttered by distressed mother were
enough to move the hardest heart
REJECTION-Jesus paid no attention
to the pleader. but moved along the high
way in silence. In like manner. but with
different motive, He received the words or
PLATE Mark, xv:5). Nothing can be more
discouraging than apparent indifference.
and yet the Syro-Phenioian woman did not
abandon her case. She turned to the dis
ciples with entreaty, hoping to secure their
intercession. But they were unsympa-
thetic, and being annoyed by her repeated
cries. besought Jesus to send her away
Matt, xv:23). They cared more for their
comfort than for her trouble and desired
to be rid of her by any method. Their self
ishness. however, relieved the situation
somewhat, for Jesus spoke. declaring to
them that He was sent only to the lost
sheep of the house of Israel Matt. xv:24).
That was a complete rejection of the sup
plant beyond the limits of our Savior's
ministry. If the disciples had not previous
ly understood this limitation John i:11).
they certainly did afterward. and made IT
the basis of important teaching (Romans.
xv:s). They were also confined in the same
way during His lifetime Matt. x:5).
UNFORTUNATELY Master and His
disciples moved on and entered into a
house, where they hoped to be alone un-
known mark vi:24. But in a short time
the woman was there. Breaking through
all conventional barriers she Frustrated her
self at the feet of Jesus, assuming the attf-
tude of an humble inferior and cried out,
Lord, help me- (Matt. xv:25. The Sa-
VlOr reply appears cOiu anu scseIe II
is not meet to take the children's bread"
meaning the good things that belong to the
Jews land cast It to the dogs (verse 90,
meaning the Gentiles, they were prob
ably designated Matt. vii:6). Thus He held
the same position as when He replied to the
disciples by the way What before He
claimed to be unlawful because of His mis-
sion, He now urges as improper. The two
sentences are two sides Of one great truth
the first offer of the gospel was to be made
to the children of Abraham (Acts fii:26).
The woman was not offended at the title
applied to her, neither disheartened by the
rejection. Confessng herself as outside
the covenant she takes UP the figure used
by Christ and renews her plea, saying 1.-The
dogs eat the crumbs (verse 2S). She would
deprive the children of nothing She only
sought the fragments which they did not
need. 1t was a beautiful sally of Wit.
REWARD-Tbe suit was at last
gained. Jesus could no longer withhold
his power. Instantly He wrought in the
distant heather home, commanding the
demon to release his grasp upon the daugh-
ter oversees 29-3O). Turning to the mother
He chenged His style OF speech. 20, wom-
an He said, as If astonished and pleased
great is thy faith" (Matt. xv:2S). 1t Is
probable that His former words apparently