Words to the Wise: Mosaic and Kintsugi
Then He said to her, “For this saying, go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter.”
Mark 7:29
I love fine art, and I love thinking about how different forms of it connect to the Scriptures. When I read the account of the Syro-Phoenician woman, I think of two different, but similar, types of art: mosaic and kintsugi.
The former art form is likely more familiar to you. A mosaic is a picture formed out of small, colored pieces of hard material, such as stone, tiles, and glass. When I look at mosaics, I am reminded of the truth that God gives beauty out of ashes, and that He redeems the brokenness of our lives. I think this is what He did for the Syro-Phoenician woman.
Mark 7:24-30 tells her story. Jesus went into the region of Tyre and Sidon; He entered a house and wanted no one to know it - but of course, this was impossible (7:24). The woman, of Syrian ethnicity and Phoenician nationality, had a daughter who was demon-possessed; Mark says that the daughter had an “unclean spirit.” Her mother wanted Jesus to heal her child; this is why she came to Him.
There is significant meaning in these few details Mark gives us. Tyre and Sidon were infamous cities in the Old Testament. The cruel Queen Jezebel, wife to King Ahab, was from Sidon; the widow of Zarephath with whom Elijah resided was also from there. And now, this woman, a Gentile from one of the most wicked cities on earth, wanted Jesus - the Son of God and the Son of Man - to heal her daughter.
And the beautiful thing was that He did. But I am getting ahead of myself. The text says that the woman “kept asking,” literally begged for Jesus to heal her daughter. Matthew 15:21-28, a cross-reference to this account, tells us that the woman said her daughter was severely demon-possessed; Jesus answered her not a word, and the disciples wanted Jesus to send her away because of her begging.
You know when you are begging God to save you that you are broken, and here is where the second art form comes into play. Kintsugi is the Japanese art form of repairing broken pottery, and just as the potter-maker adds gold to the broken pottery, making it more valuable, God was going to redeem the brokenness of this woman’s life. As a girl who was demon-possessed, this girl would have been mentally ill (Mark 5:1-20; Acts 16:16-20), thus affecting her relationships with her family and society at large.
Finally, Jesus speaks. “Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” Here, I must note that Jesus was not racist when He said this. Jews often called Gentiles (such as this woman) dogs, indicating their spiritual uncleanness. But Jesus calls her (more specifically, Gentiles overall) a little dog, using a diminutive neuter and plural form in Greek (cite).
In addition, the woman accepts the metaphor and extrapolates beyond it, arguing that even little dogs under the table receive the infant’s crumbs. It is for this reason that Jesus commends her.
He says, “For this saying, go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter.” (7:29). Matthew adds that Jesus also says, “O, woman, great is your faith!” This woman believed in God, and it was accounted to her for righteousness (James 2:23).
So what can we learn? First, we learn that God is a redeeming God. Even though Tyre and Sidon were wicked Gentile cities, well known historically, God did not condemn this woman who stepped out in faith and entreated Him to heal her daughter. Indeed, he commended her for the faith she showed. This reminds us that although God did go first to the Jewish people (for salvation is from the Jews - John 4 verse), He did also go, and does go, to the Greeks - Gentiles like you and me (Romans 1:16).
Relatedly, our faith is made perfect when tested. Hebrews says that Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith, and as Christians, God uses trials in our life for the end goal of sharing in his holiness. 1 Peter 1:7 says that when our valuable faith is tested, it is proved to be genuine. Jesus simply tested this woman’s faith, and when she kept asking Jesus to heal her daughter, she proved her genuineness to Him. This is why Jesus said in Matthew, “Woman, how great is your faith!” No matter what you are going through today, keep holding on to your faith in Jesus - because He will see that you become more like Him (Philippians 1:8).
Finally, there is power in persistence. Even when Jesus remained silent, this woman cried out to Him. Even when he called her a little dog, she thought on her feet, accepted her place, and yet begged for mercy. When you pray, know that God hears you, and His heart is for you (Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Peter 5:7).
Just as this woman saw her daughter restored to wholeness, dare to believe that God cares for you and will help you - because He is love and loves us - when You need Him.
Discussion Questions
How is your view of God impacted by the fact that He tested this woman?
How does it make you feel about God that He healed this woman’s daughter, despite her background?
What is one thing you want to do this week to remind you that God is a redeeming God?