16 August 2020
Matthew 15:21-28
Get this woman off my back!
The disciples
show great compassion…Not! They say, concerning this Canaanite woman, “Send her away! She keeps crying out after
us!”
How does Jesus
feel about her? You would think He would show just a little bit of compassion.
After all He fed the crowd without cost. He silenced the storm and calmed the
disciples’ fears. You would expect Jesus to show just a little bit of empathy
and understanding. You would think He’d show some consideration, concern and
care.
First, He ignores her. Then He
insults her. By calling her a dog! What the what? But this is exactly how Jesus
responds.
No one likes
someone who nags. Yet, this woman uses her nagging to get a cure for her
daughter. Could we learn something from her today?
This woman –
Had no right to nag! So much was stacked against her.
1. She was a woman with no rights.
Or privileges. None! Not. A. Single. One. She wasn’t entitled. No one owed her
anything. She stands there - alone.
2. She was a Gentile with no claim
on a Jew. “It is not right to take the
children’s bread and cast it to the dogs.” Vs. 26 Jews referred to gentiles
as “dogs.” Jesus is simply stating fact. The disciple’s
perceptions and views of Gentiles will have to change. And, in time, they
will.
Peter would one day realize:
"I most certainly understand now
that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears
Him and does what is right is welcome to Him." Later, all would recognize the fact that the
gospel is for all. "When they heard
this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, 'Well then, God has granted
to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life.'"
3. She was a pagan,
a devotee of a false religion. And the demands of the law were clear. Have
nothing to do with them. Instead. Be ye separate.
Transition: This woman. A nameless, faceless, person in the
crowd. She had no credentials. No pedigree. Not a single recommendation from
anyone. She stands alone. Yet she is driven. To seek help from the only one
capable of helping her – Jesus Christ the righteous One.
She had reason to nag!
1. She had a serious
need. Her daughter was possessed. By a demon. The demons were in a fight
with Jesus. They would lay hold of any victim they could find.
From the time of Adam to this
very hour, the devil acts as a narcissus. In order to strike out at God he
attacks the children.
She had a mother’s love. She
didn’t say, “Help her!” She says, “Help me!” Her daughter’s problem was her
problem. Her daughter’s issue was her issue.
No one could help her. She makes the issue at hand up front and personal.
There was no one to help her - Except Jesus, standing before her.
2. She had humility.
Notice her posture. Face down. Hands extended. ”Help me!” She cried! It’s the same prayer you pray, “Kyrie Eleison!” Lord, have mercy!
She does not care about anything.
Other than this Prophet. She seeks the only one who can help her daughter. And
she will not be discouraged, depressed, dejected, or frightened. She did not
demand. She had nothing to give. But she would plead, and beg, and petition
Jesus until she got her miracle.
When you find yourself in dire
circumstances - continue to pray. Continue to seek Jesus’ help and comfort.
Never, ever give up. Pray without ceasing. Embrace endurance.
3. She had faith.
"Son of David" is a
Messianic term. This tells us she knew something of the promise of the Father
to send a Savior. She addressed Jesus as that Savior. Where had she learned this?
We are not told. But, she is correct.
It would have
been easy for her to turn away. In anger. Or sorrow. Or pride. She saw Jesus as
the only hope for her daughter. She would not turn away! “O woman” says Jesus.
This exchange.
Between a desperate mother and the Savior is a statement of endearment. Of
love. And affection. After three strikes, -she gets…a miracle!
Jesus replies,
“Great is your faith!” She asks for crumbs and gets…Jesus! It’s all
about that bread which falls from the Master’s table – It’s all about Jesus -
the bread of life! Who entered your world, to assume your flesh, and offers Himself
for the life of the world.
Great faith
brings great rewards. This took courage. It took commitment. It took a spirit
that refused to be daunted. Her faith was tested. She passed the test. The
apostles are starting to wake up. They received a lesson that day that they
would remember. Salvation is open to all who come in repentance and faith.
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Words –830
Passive sentences –2%
Reading ease – 86.3%
Reading level – 2.8
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