Living in the Spirit

September 4, 2021

Scripture Reading:
Mark 7:24-37

From there he set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, ‘Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.’ But she answered him, ‘Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.’ Then he said to her, ‘For saying that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter.’ So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone. –Mark 7:24-30

I love this scripture for an unusual reason. Jesus demonstrates that everyone can hold inappropriate opinions of others, and anyone can change once they see each person as a child of God. We never know everything about anyone. We do not know if someone has a toothache or just had a dispute with their child or is facing bankruptcy. Often, we misread people’s actions as being hostile toward us. While I think it is important to police our behavior to make sure we are not taking out our frustrations on someone else, we need to broaden our understanding of others by getting to know them better.

‘You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you. –Matthew 5:38-42

This scripture from Matthew 5 is part of The Beatitudes. It might be interesting to try practicing the Beatitudes and see how our lives and our world improves.

Prayer: God of Justice and Mercy, help is to see your image within each person we meet along the way. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.