The Syrophenician's Daughter.
Notice:
I. The Girl Herself. She was "grievously vexed with a devil." Her case was very sad and strange. All the gods, helpers and physicians, in Tyre and Sidon could not set this girl free. For anything man's skill could do she was beyond all hope and remedy. The sun shines on no sadder sight than a young soul that is the willing slave of Satan. Well may the Church of Christ weep over that soul, as the Syrophenician mother wept over her darling child, whom Satan was claiming as his slave.
II. The Girl's Mother. She was probably a widow, as no mention is made of the girl's father. The girl would thus be all the world to her mother. On earth there is no stronger love than a mother's for her suffering child. This mother was drawn by a secret influence to Jesus Christ. No wonder that she was allured to Him, for He was the Maker of home, the Lover of children, the Exalter of woman, and the Friend of all mankind.
III. The Girl's Saviour. We are surprised at first that Jesus did not hear her on the spot, for He was very ready to be moved by such cases. For once the disciples seemed kinder than the Master; they wished Him to grant the mother's request there and then. But he was wiser and more merciful than they, and therefore He delayed. God's delays are always full of meaning. He brought out this woman's faith and humility, and taught all men that the feast of His love is for Gentile and Jew alike.
IV. The Cure. Look on the girl before she was healed a perfect picture of wretchedness; such is the soul in sin. Look on the girl after Christ had done His work in her. She lies upon the bed in peace, and her gratitude overflows. Such is the soul in a state of grace. This girl's cure was perfect; she was made whole. To be whole, and to be holy, mean the same thing; the two words come from the same root. Christ's salvation brings true health to the soul. Then Christ cured her, though she was at a distance from Him. Christ has healed many who could not give day and date. Dr. Livingstone tells that he once asked a chief how old he was. All the people around him burst into loud laughter. "The idea," they said, "of a man remembering when he was born!" But they knew that they had been born, though they knew not when. If you have the true signs of the new birth, never trouble yourself about anything else.
J. Wells, Bible Children,p. 213.
Reference: Mark 7:24-30. H. M. Luckock, Footprints of the Son of Man,p. 156.