Lord, help me
by Kathy Matuschka
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As soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an evil spirit came and fell at his feet (Mark 7:25).
Read Mark 7:24–37
While Jesus was in the region of Tyre, a Syrophoenician woman fell at his feet and begged him to drive a demon from her daughter. Jesus’ initial response was that the children of Israel were his ministry priority. In the parallel account in Matthew’s Gospel, the woman responds with three words: ‘Lord, help me.’
Some commentators note that this foreign woman was able to win a debate with Jesus where Jewish leaders failed. Refusing to be ignored or offended, she cleverly turned a potential insult (‘for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs’ in verse 27) to her advantage. Jesus was impressed by her quick response and granted her request. (In Matthew’s version, Jesus commended her for her faith.)
I wonder when the woman achieved her goal of seeing her daughter healed: Was it when she out-debated Jesus? Or was it earlier when she implored him for help? In three words, ‘Lord, help me’, and by her actions, the Syrophoenician woman showed that she accepted Jesus’ authority (‘Lord’) and his ability to help her (‘help me’). That’s why I’d suggest she had him at ‘Lord, help me’.
By comparison, the Jewish leaders who attempted to debate with Jesus did so from the opposite stance, as though they were saying, ‘You are not my Lord, and you have nothing I need’.
We, as humans, can find it hard to admit that we need help and to ask for it. We might not try to trap Jesus as the Jewish leaders did, but are we sometimes reluctant to ask our Lord for help, pretending we are fine when we really are not?
Lord, help me. Shine your light into the hidden crevices of my heart, where my deepest wounds and needs reside. Please heal those wounds and supply those needs. Please help me not be satisfied with the leftover crumbs but ask for your help and healing daily until I am at complete peace with you in heaven. Amen.
Kathy Matuschka and her husband, Mark, live in Brisbane and worship at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Rochedale. Kathy continues to discern her ministry calling through her employment as a hospital chaplain and voluntary LCANZ activities. This year, she has contributed to the Way Forward Pastoral Care Working Group as a member.
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