A wonderful expression of loving motherhood is found in Mark 7:24-30, where a complete stranger meets the Master and obtains relief for her daughter who was tormented by a demon.
Not only was this woman a stranger, but she was also a non-Jew and a descendant of old enemies of the Jews.
She Was Determined
While verse 24 shows Jesus sought privacy in a house, He could not be hid, because the next verse states a Syrophenician woman heard about Him and sought Him out.
Though very determined, she was not pushy, but humbly fell at His feet, and pleaded with Him that He might cast out the demon from her child.
Determination is good as long as it is focused upon the desires of God and tempered with the characteristics of His Son. Many true Christian women today display this determination in all manner of godly service to their families, churches, communities and various ministries.
She Was Devoted
Next, Jesus gives her a test, saying, "Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs."
Perhaps you have heard that the Greek word for "dogs" in this verse means "little dogs," and seemingly less offensive. Nonetheless, He did say "dogs."
At this point I have to wonder how many people today would have yielded to pride and would have been offended by that statement. Well, just like many mothers, no pride caused her to stumble, and laying behind all selfish inclinations (as many mothers do) this mother remained steadfast before Jesus.
She was devoted to her daughter, but apparently she was also devoted to Christ, trusting in His godliness which she no doubt easily sensed.
That godliness included wisdom and mercy, so she responded, "Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs."
What persistence in finding an answer, and what devotion was displayed to the Answer Himself! This makes me think of how many women are prayer warriors before God's throne, praying for loved ones, friends, the unsaved, and even enemies.
She Got Deliverance
Her determination and devotion was a key to her daughter being freed from demonic activity, for Jesus said, "For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter."
While some in their minds might dismiss the topic of demons as something from the past, those that truly know Christ are aware of demonic activity throughout the world.
Thank God for each mother who prays with fervor in a loving effort to ward off the forces of darkness, and prays until she sees a mighty deliverance on behalf of not only her spouse and children, but for all that Holy Spirit brings to her mind.
Many today need deliverance from the bindings and ravages of sin. It is a good thing that there are still women with holy spunk tempered with humility that know the Answer, and cry out to the Answer when there is a need. Their hope is not in their government, nor is it even in their church, but in the Almighty Christ, the Good Shepherd.
