99 Days to Pentecost: Day 40

Day 40 - March 25, 2021
Mark 7:26 (Read Full Chapter)
26 Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician descent. And she repeatedly asked Him to cast the demon out of her daughter.

“Godly Correct”
Written by Pastor Joshua Kim

There’s a word my mom uses to describe me as a child. I can’t get the exact translation, but basically I was a chaotic ball of energy. I couldn’t sit still. Not just physically, but I would say or ask things that weren’t "culturally appropriate”. You can imagine the time my parents had as pastors of a Korean church.

Through many tough lessons, I’ve learned there are certain things that are not meant to be said. There are more appropriate ways to ask than just bluntly blurting it out. Sometimes however, I wonder if I’ve swung too far towards the opposite, especially when it comes to my relationship with God.

In today’s chapter, Mark sets it up by talking about all these traditions the scribes found so important. In response, Jesus clearly states that this does not honor God. What seems so politically or culturally correct was so Godly incorrect.

Enter the Syrophoenician woman. On many accounts during this time, she is unclean, inappropriate. Why? She’s a gentile. She’s a woman. In fact, Jesus emphasizes this through His response. And yet through her desperation, through her "culturally inappropriateness”, she captures the heart of God. To those observing, this flipped their worldview upside down.

Are we so caught up with what is politically and culturally correct or relevant and appropriate to this world, that we’re missing out on God’s heart? Are we too busy playing nice while neglecting the mercy of God? Not that we should contradict the world for the sake of being contrarians, but are we so desperate for the Lord, we are willing to be considered inappropriate? Let us be a people who have hearts that are truly right before the Lord first, even if that looks incorrect in the eyes of the world.

Prayer: Dear Father, teach me to walk according to Your heart. Though I may look like a fool to the world, may I be so precious in Your sight. Help me to not fear this world but to fear You, that I may walk in true wisdom. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
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