Lenten Reader | Day 16

March 7th, 2026

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.

Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him.

After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.

Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Mark 7:24-37

For Such a Reply

Do you remember the last time you decided to disengage or just ignore and avoid people? Maybe you were exhausted, having a bad day, or just weren’t in a sociable mood. We duck down a different aisle to avoid someone, ignore a phone call, or don’t answer the knock at the door. It happens, and most of the time it doesn’t have much of an effect on us, the ones ducking. But we have no idea what, if any, affect it may have on the other person.

In today’s passage, Jesus seems to be trying to avoid people when the Gentile woman finds him and begs for His help. Jesus knows His mission on earth. This woman, who has faith, knows that God’s grace is available to all, and a miracle for her daughter may result in blessings for others, “the dogs under the table,” so He heals the girl.

“For such a reply…”

Jesus, still desiring rest, was again sought out. The healing Jesus performed on the deaf mute was one of greater outward action than most He had done, and the sigh he gave was one of sympathy. Afterwards, Jesus again seems to be looking for rest – asking that his presence be kept secret.

The mission of Jesus encompassed His role as a teacher, healer, and Savior. Ultimately, it was aimed at restoring humanity’s relationship with God through His redemptive work. The mission of Jesus continues to impact us today. His call to follow Him and share the message of salvation remains central to our faith. The life of Jesus serves as a model for how we are to live – emphasizing the importance of love, service, and outreach to those in need. As we walk through our own earthly lives, it is understandable that we sometimes want to detach. However, this would not be following the example Jesus gives us in these passages. Engage, even though you may not feel like it. “Go and make disciples of all nations.”

Jamie Rout