The Disciples Go On A Field Trip

Matthew 15:21-39and

Mark 7:24-8:9

Introduction

• Magic School Bus

• Last Week: Jesus says food isn’t what defiles people, the human heart is! (Matt. 15:11,17-20)

• This Week: Jesus will show the disciples firsthand that there is no distinction between people (“clean” Jews and “unclean” Gentiles).

Outline

• I. Leaving Home (vs. 21-28)• II. Sticking Around (vs. 29-31)• III. Familiar Finish (vs. 32-39)• IV. Practical Lessons

I. Leaving Home

• To Tyre and Sidon (vs. 21-28)– 1) Goes up North (vs. 21)• 1st time; against traditions; Canaanite land

– 2) Gets lodging (Mark 7:24)• Enters a Gentile house (against traditions)

– 3) Talks with the locals (vs. 22-28)• Couldn’t hide; Canaanite lady comes to Him

Perfect Illustration• 1) Gentile woman calls Jesus by Jewish title (vs.

22)• 2) Jesus “ignores” her (vs. 23)• 3) Disciples want a quick solution but the Master

Teacher is up to something (vs. 23)• 4) Jesus came for the Jews (vs. 24)• 5) Gentile woman continues to plea (vs. 25)• 6) Jesus tells her she is like a family dog (vs. 26)

begging• 7) Gentile woman agrees, showing her faith (vs.

27) • 8) Jesus heals the woman’s daughter (vs. 28)

Foresight into the Future

• Big Lesson: The Gentiles are not unclean!• The Church Age would mainly be Gentiles (the

Jews had rejected Jesus and killed Him)• But early in the Church Age, the Jews didn’t

want Gentiles

Peter gets an object lesson with food• Acts 10:15, 28, 34, 43 (God had to correct the

disciples faulty thinking that Gentiles belong to the church)

• Vs. 28 “And he said unto them, ‘Ye know that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.’”

• Vs. 34, 43 “’God is no respecter of persons.’” “’Whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.’”

Paul explains Christian equality Ephesians 2:11-13

• “Wherefore, remember that ye, being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands– that at that time ye were without Christ , being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.

Ephesians 2:11-13

• But now in Christ Jesus ye who once were far off are made near by the blood of Christ.”

• Galatians 3:26,28– “For ye are all the sons of God by faith in Christ

Jesus…..There is neither Jew nor Greek…..for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”

II. Sticking Around for another lesson (vs. 29-31)

• 1) Location: Decapolis– Mainly Gentile region

• 2) Miracles: – Great multitudes; many diseases; one special case

• 3) Reaction:– “He hath done all things well” (Mark 7:37)– “they glorified the God of Israel” (vs. 31)

4) Lesson: Gentiles believe the evidence, but Jews didn’t (another foreshadowing?)

III. Familiar Finish (vs. 32-39)• 1) Jesus has compassion on crowds (vs. 32)– Many Gentiles most likely

• 2) Not the same miracle (see Matt. 14)– Different audience, numbers fed, total loaves,

total baskets left over, location afterwards• 3) Reaction of the disciples (vs. 33-37)– Questioning; Did they forget or maybe because

the people were Gentiles? 4) Lesson: No difference between Jew and

Gentile

Practical Applications

• 1) Jesus crossed borders/boundaries. Do we?• 2) Do you see yourself as a dog?• 3) Are we persistent in coming to God?• 4) Do we get actively involved in bringing our

friends to Christ?• 5) Let God do His part—the miracles. Stay

out of His way.