The Usual Suspects

Reading in 1 Peter 4.3, this morning where Peter lays out a list of what the "Gentiles"—those who have not come to Christ yet—typically do. What strikes me hard is that it is the usual suspects. What was popular to do in the 1st century AD, are the exact same things that are popular to do in the 21st century AD: Living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. It's all the same.

What those who are not Christ-followers do, Christians should not be doing. That time, as Peter points out, is passed. We are men made new. Our hearts have changed. We do not do those things any more. Our aim and goal in life is to glorify Christ in how we live, rather than give ourselves over to the passions and desires of the flesh.

The Syro-Phoenician Woman III

The woman's response to Christ's comment in Mark 7.27 is remarkable. Christ essentially says, "Jews are first. Gentiles are second," yet in a seemingly harsh way. However, he leaves open the possibility that there will be "food" for the Gentiles. In the Greek (where word order often indicates emphasis), Christ says, "Permit first, the children to be fed." The woman immediately picks up on his meaning (Mark 7.28).

Chadwick paraphrases her response: “'I thank Thee, O blessed One, for that word! That’s my whole case. Not of the children? True. A dog? True also: Yet the dogs under the table are allowed to eat of the children’s crumbs — the droppings from their master’s full table: Give me that, and I am content: One crumb of power and grace from Thy table shall cast the devil out of my daughter.' Oh, what lightning quickness, what reach of instinctive ingenuity, do we behold in this heathen woman!"

Second place is good enough for her. As a Gentile who follows this unnamed woman, I gladly embrace second place as well. Jews are first. No problem. There is enough grace left over for me (a Gentile) coming second.