150 likes | 355 Views
13. Messiah for All. Mark 7:23 – 8:13 p. 930. Advent. Advent – “the coming”, “the arrival” The Jews had been expecting Messiah for centuries Bernard of Clairvaux (1100 AD) Peace no longer promised, but conferred; No longer delayed, but given; No longer predicted, but bestowed.
E N D
13. Messiah for All Mark 7:23 – 8:13 p. 930
Advent • Advent – “the coming”, “the arrival” • The Jews had been expecting Messiah for centuries • Bernard of Clairvaux (1100 AD) Peace no longer promised, but conferred; No longer delayed, but given; No longer predicted, but bestowed.
1. Messiah Blesses All • Jesus went north out of Galilee into Lebanon • To escape the crowds and the religious leaders. • Gentile Territory:
1. Messiah Blesses All . . . • A desperate woman (her daughter is possessed): • She is a Gentile (Greek – speaking) • She is a Syrian Phoenician • Flavius Josephus: “having an ill-disposition towards us” • Seeks healing and release for her daughter
1. Messiah Blesses All . . . • Jesus: “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs” (v 27) • Children are Israel • He has come to bring blessing (bread) to Israel. • “Dogs” – common Jewish term for Gentiles • Jesus is a communicator and teacher • He has a point to make – to his disciples
1. Messiah Blesses All . . . • The woman understands Jesus’ parable and identity • A deeply profound reply: • The blessing spills over – “the dogs get the crumbs” She is the only person who understands Jesus’ parables without explanation. • Jesus agrees: • “Go, the demon has left your daughter” (v 29)
2. Messiah Brings Healing to All • Jesus is healing many people (Matt 15:30-31) • Mark focuses on one case: A deaf & mute man • An important Messianic prophesy – Isaiah 35:5-6 • Promises from the time of Abraham – • God would “bless all the nations” (Gen 12:3) • Messianic healing extends to all
3. Messiah Feeds All • Bread an important metaphor in work of Messiah • Symbol of Rescue & Provision • Jesus is “the bread of life” (John 6:35) • Bread is key in redemptive story of Israel: • Ex 16:4 – God sustained them in the wilderness • Being fed in the wilderness – the privilege of God’s children
3. Messiah Feeds All ... • Jesus says he wants to feed a huge crowd • He has walked from the north to the Decapolis
3. Messiah Feeds All ... • They need food or they will “collapse” (v 3) • Feeding signals a great redemption is underway • “First the children must eat” (v 27) • Rom 1:16-17 “salvation ... first to the Jew ...” • The numbers are important – reflect the priority of Israel • 5,000 men – 5 loaves & 2 fish • 4,000 people – 7 loaves & a few fish
3. Messiah Feeds All ... • God feeds his people • Jesus fed a huge crowd of Jews in Galilee • Jesus feeds a huge crowd of Gentiles in the Decapolis • The Messiah feeds all • Therefore the Messiah is for all.
Messiah for All • In our series the story of Jesus is still unfolding • Advent 2012 – look back on the story fully revealed • Jesus came for everyone – Messiah for all. • St Augustine of Hippo (400 AD) “You would have perished, had he not come”