Most cultures assume that their traditions are a normal way to behave and morally right.  They think that what was accepted as being right for their parents must be right for their children.  Of course, some of these traditions are right and are parables of righteousness; but others are wrong and wicked.  However, challenging a tradition is socially and politically risky, creating both heroes and martyrs, as history as well as the Bible demonstrate.  When Jesus challenged the tradition of Corban, He was reaching deep into the hearts of greedy, covetous, mean-minded, dishonourable religious

Jesus rebuked them for being dull.  Dullness, here, is not an intellectual weakness: it is dullness-of-sight ...

At first sight, Jesus did not appear sympathetic to the Syro-Phoenician woman.  She had come with an uncontrollable, demonised daughter, begging for her healing and for the unclean spirit to be exorcised (Mark 7:26).  Jesus has come all the way from Galilee to the Mediterranean coastal town of Tyre, especially for this encounter.  All the time His disciples were watching everything He said and did – Peter's eye witness account is recorded by Mark in this passage.  Every episode of ministry was a tutorial in how the apostles were to lead the church in the future.

There are few really good news stories today.  But when they can be found, they are nectar to TV newscasters.  They are trailed at the beginning of the telecast, but viewers are kept in suspense until the item is run - at the very end.  It keeps people watching, because everybody is hungry for good news.  And that is exactly what the Gospel is: Good News.  Despite the way believers have suffered ridicule and opposition, many people are hungry for Jesus.  Some have run out of credible options, others are seeking the divine authenticity which Jesus brings (Matthew 11:4-6).