Difficult Bible Texts

This past Sunday the gospel reading was the account of Jesus healing the Syrophoenician’s daughter.  (Mark 7:24-30)

I personally find this a difficult text especially in the light of Jesus’ rather abrupt comment to the woman’s appeal (v27).  This comment seems so out of character for Jesus who usually reserved his harshest words for the Pharisees and religious leaders of Israel.

There have been a number of texts that have perplexed me over the years. A major struggle for me was the Book of Job, especially Job 1:12.     

My point here is not to resolve the difficulties I have but rather to reflect on the fact that the Bible presents us with many difficult texts that may make us uneasy or simply confuse us.  As Christians I believe we are called read and prayerfully study the whole of the Bible, not just those texts that make us feel comfortable or with which we agree.  After all, the whole of the Bible is God’s word and we are called to study it in its entirety.

It is when we prayerfully study these difficult texts God rewards us with insights into the human relationship with God (Job), the meaning of faith (the Syrophoenician woman), or of the humanity of Jesus.  It is in the difficult texts that the greatest treasures are often found. 

What are the difficult texts in your life?  We at Trinity would welcome the opportunity to struggle with you.