Welcome to 10-minute Bible Talks, where we connect the Bible to your life.

In the time it takes to get to work.

I'm Patrick Miller.

How would you feel if someone called you a dog?

Not in a friendly way, like what's up dog or a cool way like you dog but in a kind of offensive way like

you're not a person you're a dog speaking for myself i probably wouldn't be very happy i'd be tempted

to bite back call me a dog and you get the teeth of course that's not how jesus tells us to

treat our enemies,

but I have to confess, the temptation would be there. I bring all this up, not just to be

silly, but because for years I've been bothered by Mark chapter 7 versus 24 to 30. Because in this

passage, Jesus calls someone in need a dog, not in a cool way, but in a kind of offensive way.

And it just seems so out of character for him, especially when he's dealing with those who are humble, weak, or needy.

In fact, that's why I think this passage is so important, because Mark had to know that it would surprise his readers.

He didn't have to include the story.

The Gospels aren't a comprehensive telling of everything that Jesus did, and that's especially the case of Mark's gospel.

And yet, he did include this story, this out-of-place story.

And I think it's meant to beg a question. Why?

So let's hop straight into Mark 7, 24 to 30. Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. That was a region in a Gentile area to the north of Palestine. Let's continue. He entered a house and did not want

anyone to know it, yet he could not keep his presence secret. In fact, as soon as she heard about him,

a woman whose daughter was possessed by an impure spirit came and fell at his feet. The woman was a

Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to

drive the demon out of her daughter. First, let the children eat all they want, he told her,

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