Чего тебе?

Подожди, я достану лубок...

Брось! Зачем?

Но ведь ты тоже состаришься?

О да!

На чем же я повезу тебя?

Негр постоял, подумал, поскреб свою курчавую голову. Потом слез в овраг, положил отца на лубок, привязал покрепче, чтобы не сполз, и поволок домой.

Chapter VII, Articles 24-37

 When the Lord Jesus Christ came to the borders of Tyre and Sidon, a woman heard about Him, whose daughter was possessed by an unclean spirit, and when she came, she fell down at His feet; and the woman was a heathen, a Syrophoenician by birth, v. 25, 26. She was an unfortunate woman. Her beloved daughter suffered from demonic possession. All means were tried to cure her; It was all in vain. The poor mother is about to despair, when suddenly she hears that a Great Prophet has appeared in her country, strong in spirit, powerful, benevolent, who heals the most serious ailments with one word, one look, one touch. Hope burns again in the tormented heart. The last hope! If she changes now, it's all over! A woman goes to the Savior. She has no choice! Either here she will pray for the healing of her daughter, or nowhere! She falls at the feet of the Lord and weeps with burning tears of last hope. Ah, these tears of love suffering from the suffering of loved ones! But the Lord is silent. Weeping over the sufferings of others, He is now indifferent, motionless. Mad with disappointment, the woman redoubles her pleas, putting into them all the bitterness of her aching heart, all the strength of her suffering. And suddenly the answer is, Let the children first be satisfied, for it is not good to take the bread of the children and throw it to the dogs, v. 27. Terrible answer! To seek mercy and wait for such an answer is like receiving a whip on the bare nerves. It is unlikely that many could withstand such an answer and would probably immediately walk away with anger or bitterness of resentment, at least with a feeling of complete disappointment. But the woman did not leave. Even this answer did not make her leave. She is ready to endure any humiliation, if only to restore the health of her dear daughter. Faith flared up in her with renewed force, and with humble persistence she continued to ask: "Yes, Lord; but the dogs under the table eat the crumbs of the children, v. 28.

The woman's faith, humility, and love overcame all the obstacles that were supposed to push her away from the Savior and which the Lord deliberately placed before her. "For this word, go," He said to her, "the devil has gone out of your daughter" (v. 29).

The cruelty of the first answer does not fit in with the gentle appearance of the Lord. Did He usually speak to unfortunate people who came to Him for help? Has He ever treated human grief in this way? Never. It is clear that the refusal of the request and the harsh answer were given by Him deliberately with some intention. What for?

To test the humility of a woman, to strengthen her faith, which is strengthened by its victories over the obstacle, to evoke her love to a new persistent supplication.

All this is necessary for the education of a person. All this strengthens him spiritually.

The Lord turned every opportunity that presented itself to Him to give man not only the external blessings he asked for, but also to elevate his soul, evoking in it the best feelings and moods, and thus imparting to it the grace of spiritual gifts. As He strengthens the woman's faith, He tries at the same time to arouse in her increased perseverance and perseverance of supplication.