Jesus travelled from Galilee to the Mediterranean coastal port of Tyre in Phoenicia.  He came specially for this one notable encounter, before returning to His home region (Mark 7:31).  His close disciples went with Him to witness Christ's personal compassion for a female non-Jew in a pagan land.  Religious Jews would never have done that.  They were disgusted enough by Jesus talking to socially unclean people in their own country (Luke 15:2) or Samaritans (John 4:9).  But now He would have shocked the disciples by travelling to a foreign country to stimulate faith and bring healing - to a Gentile who knew she had no rights before God (Mark 7:27-28).  

It was a masterclass in mission for the trainee apostles.  So, before Jesus sent the apostles outside of Israel on His gospel mission (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8), He inaugurated cross-cultural mission by this example.    But even though He did not seek recognition, those with a hunger for God to act in their lives, saw in Jesus all they were looking for.  It did not matter to Jesus what cultural background they came from.  It took the disciples some time to understand the need to go out in mission but later Peter had courage to minister in the same area (Acts 9:32-43).

A Greek-speaking Gentile woman brought her uncontrollable child to Jesus.  This educated lady was at her wits end but she had heard about Jesus and believed He could deliver her daughter from whatever controlled her.  She knew she had no other hope than Jesus.  If only He would stop to hear her, He could exorcise the demon.  She had no religious credentials: but she had a great need and a clear faith.  She believed that Jesus had the power to act to change their family life; and He did (Mark 7:30).

Cross-cultural mission is normal Christianity.  The reason is that all mission is cross-cultural – from the culture of the Kingdom of Light to the culture of the kingdom of darkness.  Unless we realise that, we may build bridges of friendship but never dare to cross the bridge with the gospel for fear of upsetting the relationship.  People may live in the same street, share the same interests and eat the same food, but if they are not in Christ they are living in a radically different spiritual culture.  If they see the authentic life of Jesus in us, some will risk vulnerability to find an answer to their life.   Are we are willing to be available to people who are different to us?  Jesus was!  We should be expecting these encounters, and be ready to share the Gospel, and introduce them to our Saviour who came because God loved the whole world (John 3:16) (www.crosscheck.org.uk) … even in the workplace.