Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.” But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.” But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.--Matthew 15:21-28
Dear Girls,
Every time I read this story it fills me with emotion. I cry out to Him for each of you daily...sometimes in tears...pleading for so many things But mostly I pray that you would know God's Son, Jesus in a very special way. That He would be your Rock, your Redeemer and your Refuge and that in times of trial and trouble you would run to Him and be hidden under the Shadow of His Wing. That you would seek His face in everything and go boldly to His throne always to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. I pray that He would be your Becoming One and become for you whatever you need. This mom's faith is such an encouragement to me!
This Gentile woman was crying out to the Lord on behalf of her demon possessed daughter. I cannot imagine her anguish and pain watching her daughter live in this condition.
The gospel of Mark tells us that when Jesus went into this region He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be hidden. She came to Him despite His wish to be alone, fell at His feet and cried out to Him saying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed."
The text in Matthew tells us that Jesus answered her not a word. Uh oh. Not an encouraging response. The disciples then asks Jesus to “Send her away, for she cries out after us.” Jesus answers them by implying that because she is a Gentile she really does not have a right to come to Him. Now, you would think this woman would give up....but no...the Scripture tells us that she came and worshiped Him saying, "Lord, help me!"
Jesus gives another reply almost sounding like He is being mean...calling her a dog. But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” For the Jews one of the worst thing you could call them was a Gentile dog. Jesus, however, is actually using the diminutive form of the word which is translated as "puppy." “The children” referred to the people of Israel and the bread to Jesus...the Bread of Life. This woman's faith just keeps building...amazingly she replies, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” What faith! What humility! What fervent desire! What importunity! Jesus acknowledges her faith immediately and says to her let it be as you desire and her daughter was healed at that very hour. I am so glad for this woman's example! Jesus knew this woman's heart right from the beginning but he wanted to draw out her faith into full flower so she could serve as an example for us.
When I am tempted to give up in prayer I think on this woman and this story. I think of how everything was so stacked against her and yet she persisted. I think of her example of pure and simple worship. In the end she spoke no proper "prayer" words just this....Lord, help me! In testing...when it looks like God is not going to come to our aid...is when our faith is really tried and exercised. We are able then to see the level of our own faith. Sadly, I am pretty sure I would have given up and kind of slunk away... If there is a burden on your heart from the Lord, keep praying don't give up...keep knocking. He will answer.
Great faith is faith that takes God at His Word and will not let go until God meets the need. Great faith can lay hold of even the slightest encouragement and turn it into a fulfilled promise. “Lord, increase our faith.” --Matthew Henry.
Love
Mom
