Women of the Bible Part 24

Her Character: Though a Gentile, she addressed Jesus as "Lord, Son of David." Her great faith resulted in her daughter's deliverance.

Her Sorrow: That her child was possessed by an evil spirit.

Her Joy: That Jesus freed her daughter from spiritual bondage.

Key Scriptures: Matthew 15:21 - 28; Mark 7:24 - 30 Monday HER STORY.

Her body jerked and twisted, arms thrashing the air. Wideeyed, the little girl spoke to ghosts her mother could not see, her face changing as rapidly as clouds in a sudden storm. Fear, surprise, and then a crazy kind of laughter, as though someone had stolen her soul. Dark hair stuck in gummy strands against her cheeks.

Her mother wondered what had become of the sweet child who had followed her like a puppy wherever she went. How she missed those soft kisses and the b.u.t.ton nose that had nuzzled her cheek. She had hardly slept these last few nights for fear of what her daughter might do to herself. Neither of them, she thought, could stand much more.

Just that morning she had caught wind of a Jewish healer who, friends said, had come to Tyre hoping for relief from the crowds that mobbed him in Galilee. It didn't matter that Jews seldom mingled with Gentiles. She would go to him, beg his help, throw a fit herself if necessary. She would do whatever it took to get him to listen. It didn't take long to find him.

She approached Jesus, pleading, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession." But Jesus ignored the woman, making no reply.

Finally, his disciples said to Jesus, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us."

But Jesus knew it would not be that easy to get rid of her. The only way, in fact, would be to answer her prayer. He told them, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel."

Hearing him, the woman fell at his feet again, imploring, "Lord, help me!"

Then Jesus turned and said, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."

But the woman would not give up. "Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted," Jesus said.

So the Syrophoenician woman returned to her daughter, who was delivered from the evil spirit the very same hour that Jesus had spoken.

Scripture doesn't describe the little girl of this story in any detail; it says only that she was possessed by a demon. But judging from similar incidents, such as that of the Gerasene demoniac, whose story is told in Luke 8, or the little boy in Matthew 17, who kept throwing himself in the fire, the signs of demonic possession were probably both obvious and frightening.

But why did Jesus seem so rude to the poor woman, ignoring her request and then referring to her and her child as dogs?

His response may sound a little less harsh when you realize that the word he used for "dogs" was not the derisive one Jews ordinarily reserved for Gentiles. Instead, it was the term used for little dogs kept as pets. Jesus was also making it clear that his primary mission was to the Israelites. Had Jesus performed many healings and miracles in Tyre and Sidon, he would have risked the same kind of mob scenes he had just left behind in Galilee, thus inaugurating a ministry to the Gentiles in advance of his Father's timing.

The woman couldn't have known the reason for his silence, however, and it must have tested her faith. But rather than give up or take offense, she exercised her quick wit, revealing both a deep humility and a tenacious faith. It was a combination Jesus seemed unable to resist-fertile soil in which to grow a miracle. The Syrophoenician woman must have rejoiced that day to see the daughter she loved safe and sane, grateful for the life-giving bread that had fallen from the Master's table.

Tuesday HER LIFE AND TIMES.

DEMON-POSSESSION.

The New Testament teems with stories of people possessed by demons. Demons are fallen angels, emissaries of Satan sent to earth to oppress human beings and lead them astray. Under Satan's control, their only goal is to further his purposes. They have supernatural powers here on earth: supernatural intelligence - they know and try to hide the truth (1 John 4:1- 3), and they recognize Jesus as G.o.d's Son (Mark 5:7); and supernatural strength-a man possessed by demons could break away even when chained (Luke 8:29).

Though supernatural in their strength, demons are not more powerful than G.o.d or his Son. Whenever demons came face-to-face with Christ or his disciples in the New Testament, they trembled and did their bidding.

What the New Testament describes as demon-possessed people we might today depict as having an illness of some sort, physical or mental. How much distinction can be made between the two is uncertain. After Jesus cast a demon out of one man, he was described as "sitting there, dressed and in his right mind" (Mark 5:15). The man's demon-possession could easily have been extreme mental illness. At times, demon-possession caused muteness or blindness or convulsions (Matthew 9:32; 12:22; Mark 9:20). We can only speculate whether today we would view these illnesses as purely physical.

It is interesting to note that demons are mentioned only twice in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 32:17; Psalm 106:37), yet over seventy times in the New Testament-all but a few of those in the Gospels. Perhaps Jesus' ministry to the sick exposed demonic activity as never before. Or perhaps Satan focused an extraordinary amount of his strength and power over the land of Israel while Jesus walked and healed there.

When Jesus left this earth, he sent the Holy Spirit to indwell his people. The life of Christ within us, as believers, is our defense against the forces of evil. We may suffer from physical, emotional, or mental illnesses that seem like demons within us, and G.o.d often uses the power of medical treatment to heal us of those illnesses-but let's not discount the power we possess within ourselves as children of G.o.d. That power forms a hedge of protection around and within us as we maintain a close relationship with G.o.d the Father, Christ his Son, and the Holy Spirit, our strength and comfort.

Wednesday HER LEGACY IN SCRIPTURE.

Read Matthew 15:21 - 28.

1. Why do you suppose Jesus ignored this woman at first?

2. Why do you think she didn't give up, despite apparent rejection?

3. Why did Jesus make an exception to his policy of focusing his ministry on Jews?

4. Do you tend to give up easily or persist? What does your current situation call for?

5. When a needy person approaches you, how do you typically respond? What if the person is emotionally needy-continually sticking close to you, interrupting your conversations with others, asking questions you can't answer, and generally wanting more than you wish to give?

Thursday HER PROMISE.

What possible promise can be found in a pagan woman whose little girl was possessed by an evil spirit? The Syrophoenician woman wouldn't have known what to do about her daughter had she not heard about Jesus. Somehow, she was given the faith to believe that he was capable of saving her child.

Evil spirits, unfortunately, are not creatures of a former age. We, too, must fight the evil powers in own lives. The difference now is that Jesus has won the ultimate victory on the cross. As believers, we share in his victory. He has given us authority over the evil forces that threaten us. We may still be fighting the battle, but, strange as it might sound, the victory is already won!

Promises in Scripture Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

-Ephesians 6:io Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from G.o.d, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from G.o.d.

- i John 4:2 - 3 The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

- i John 4:4 Friday HER LEGACY OF PRAYER.

Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted."

-Matthew 15:28 Reflect On: Matthew 15:21 - 28.

Praise G.o.d: For his power to deliver us from every form of evil. Offer Thanks: For the deliverance you have already experienced. Confess: Any hopelessness about your children or others you love.

Ask G.o.d: To give you the same "terrier-like" faith that the Syro-phoenician woman had, so that you will never give up praying for the salvation of your loved ones.

Lift Your Heart Though most of our children will never suffer from actual -^ demonic possession, all of them are engaged, as we are, in a spiritual battle. As a mother, your prayers and your life play a role in the spiritual protection of your children. This week, pray Psalm 46 or Psalm 91 for the spiritual protection of your family. Or take a few moments to pray these verses from Psalm 125:1-2: Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.

As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.

Imagine that every member of your family is surrounded by G.o.d, just as mountains surround the city of Jerusalem. Offer each one to him, placing them in his care. When you are worried about a particular family member, pray a quick prayer asking G.o.d to surround him or her with his protection.

Lord, surround my children like the mountains surrounding Jerusalem. Encircle our family with your power and peace. Deliver us from evil now and forever. Amen.

Martha.

HER NAME, THE FEMININE FORM OF "LORD, MEANS.

"Lady"

Her Character: Active and pragmatic, she seemed never at a loss for words. Though Jesus chastened her for allowing herself to become worried and upset by small things, she remained his close friend and follower.

Her Sorrow: To have waited, seemingly in vain, for Jesus to return in time to heal her brother, Lazarus.

Her Joy: To watch as Jesus restored her brother to life.

Key Scriptures: Luke 10:38 - 42;John 11:1 - 12:3 Monday HER STORY.

Martha, Mary, and their brother, Lazarus, lived together in Bethany, a village just two miles from Jerusalem, on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives. All three were intimate friends of Jesus.

During one of his frequent stays in their home, Martha became annoyed with Mary, her indignation spilling over like water from a boiling pot. Instead of helping with the considerable ch.o.r.e of feeding and housing Jesus and his retinue of disciples, Mary had been spending her time sitting happily at his feet. Feeling ignored and unappreciated, Martha marched over to Jesus and demanded: "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"

But Jesus wouldn't oblige. Instead, he chided her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken from her."

Jesus' tender rebuke must have embarra.s.sed and startled her, calculated as it was to break the grip of her self-pity and reveal what was really taking place under her own roof and in her own heart. Perhaps this competent woman realized for the first time just how much she had been missing. Distracted by the need to serve Jesus, she had not taken time to enjoy him, to listen and learn from him. Her anger at Mary may have stemmed more from envy than from any concern about being overworked, for her sister had made her way into the circle of men to sit at the feet of the Teacher and learn from him.

Martha's story, of course, points to what is really important in life. She seemed confused and distracted, conned into believing her ceaseless activity would produce something of lasting importance. But Martha does more than simply instruct through her mistakes. She shows what it is like to have a relationship with Jesus so solid and close that no posturing or hiding is necessary. Martha seemed free to be herself in his presence. Where else should she have taken her frustration and anger, after all, but to Jesus?

Martha seems to have worked out her faith directly and actively, questioning, challenging, asking Jesus to rectify whatever had gone wrong. Her spirituality was like that of Jacob, who wrestled all night with an angel, or Job, who questioned G.o.d in the midst of his suffering, or Peter, who stumbled brashly forward into faith despite his mistakes.

In a later scene, after her brother died, we see Martha running to meet Jesus as soon as she heard he was near. Her greeting to Jesus was tinged with complaint: "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." But faith, too, was present: "I know that even now G.o.d will give you whatever you ask."

"Your brother will rise again," Jesus a.s.sured her.

"I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day," Martha replied.

"I am the resurrection and the life," Jesus said. "Anyone who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

"Yes, Lord," she told him. "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of G.o.d, who was to come into the world."

But right after her tremendous expression of faith, Martha's practical side rea.s.serted itself. When Jesus asked for the stone to be removed from Lazarus's tomb, she objected, raising the concern on everyone's mind: "But, Lord, there will be a terrible stink. Lazarus has been there four days!" How amazed she must have been when instead of the stench of death, Lazarus himself emerged from the tomb.

The more we delve into Martha's story, the more familiar it seems-as familiar as the face gazing at us in the bathroom mirror. A woman who placed too much importance on her own activity and not enough on sitting quietly before Jesus, she pleaded for fairness without realizing that her version of fairness was itself unfair. Her commonsensical approach to life made faith difficult. But she also loved Jesus and was confident of his love for her. How else could she have found the courage to keep pressing him for answers to her many questions? Martha offers a warmly human portrait of what it means to have Jesus as a friend, allowing him to stretch her faith, rebuke her small vision of the world, and show her what the power of G.o.d can do.

Tuesday HER LIFE AND TIMES.

WOMEN'S WORK The work expected of a woman in Bible times was much more clearly defined than it is in our culture. There were things the women did and things the men did; things the female children did and things the male children did.

Martha was just doing what she thought was expected of her. She had been raised to take care of her guests, to care for the people in her household. Mary was the one who stepped outside of the cultural expectations of her time, sitting at the feet of Jesus with the men rather than working with Martha in the kitchen. When Martha complained, Jesus responded with characteristic boldness, ignoring the dictates of his time and urging Martha to stop and consider the choice Mary had made.

Women of that time kept busy from morning to evening with a daunting array of household tasks: * Grinding grain for bread, then mixing, kneading, and baking the bread for the day * Purchasing meat at a market or preparing an animal from the household's flock for meat to eat, then cooking that meat * Carding, spinning, and weaving threads of various kinds to make cloth for clothing, bedding, and other household uses * Sewing clothing for household members * Drawing the water for each day's requirements * Cleaning the house * Washing the utensils and dishes used in meal preparation and eating * Washing the family's clothing * Teaching, disciplining, and loving the children in the household The list could go on and on, and it is not so different from the lists many women today could make of their responsibilities as wives and mothers. The tasks may be overwhelming. They may seem tedious and exhausting. But they are never unimportant.

Jesus' words to Martha should not be construed to mean that "women's work" should be ignored and left undone. That would be unrealistic. However, such work should never take the place of daily and intimate contact with the members of our families and the Lord of our lives.

Wednesday HER LEGACY IN SCRIPTURE.

Read Luke 10:38 - 42.

1. What do you think would have happened if Martha had sat at Jesus' feet along with Mary?

2. What were Martha's positive qualities?

3. Martha was pretty frank with Jesus. If you were honest with Jesus, more honest than you've ever been before, what would you tell him?

4. What was Jesus trying to tell Martha?

Read John 11:17 - 27.

5. What does this pa.s.sage tell you about Martha's qualities?

6. Are you more like Martha or like Mary? How? Which do you need more of in your life right now?

Thursday HER PROMISE.

Martha meets Jesus again in John 11 after the death of her brother, Lazarus. With characteristic forthrightness, she tells Jesus that if he had come earlier, Lazarus would not have died. Her statements open the way for Jesus to declare for all to hear-including us today-that he alone is the resurrection and the life. If we believe in him, even if we die, we live. What a promise! What a comfort! Through Jesus, death no longer has any power over us.

Promises in Scripture Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die."

-John 11:25 - 26 The saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."

"Where, O death, is your victory?

Where, O death, is your sting?"

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to G.o.d! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

- i Corinthians 15:54 - 57 Praise be to the G.o.d and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

- i Peter 1:3 Friday HER LEGACY OF PRAYER.

Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!

-Luke 10:40 Reflect On: Luke 10:38-41.

Praise G.o.d: For his patience.

Offer Thanks: That G.o.d meets us where we are, rather than where we "should be."

Confess: Any tendency to resent other women in your life.

Ask G.o.d: For the grace to be completely honest with him.