Scripture
A Canaanite woman from that region came out and began to cry out, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord…my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed.” But Jesus did not answer her a word.
~Matthew 15:22-23, NASB
Quote
What is our motivation for talking to Jesus? Is it to get something from Him or simply to know Him better?
~Charles Stanley
The Canaanite woman definitely came to Jesus wanting something but is this not how a relationship with Jesus begins. We come to Him for the forgiveness of our sins but as we grow and mature in our faith, we come to a point where being with HIM is more important than getting something from HIM. I read a story about a woman who had a dream. In her dream, Jesus approached three ladies, all on bended knee with hand folded and bowed heads–obviously they were praying. She watched as Jesus approached the first; He bend down and embraced her and whispered something in her ear. Then He lightly patted the second lady on the shoulder and walked away. The woman was perplexed: why did Jesus not speak to all of the women, why did He not embrace them all. Did he love the third lady less. So the lady observing pulls Jesus to the side and asked Him why he didn’t take notice of the third woman. He smiled and said, “The first woman is just beginning to understand My love, her faith is weak and she needs encouragement. The second woman has a deeper faith and she doesn’t need as much encouragement as the first. The third, My child, loves me dearly, more than life itself. She trust me no matter what; although I did not touch her or speak to her, she knew I was near and that I love her dearly.”
The Canaanite woman had great faith. Greater faith than the disciples who followed Him daily. She didn’t need encouragement as you can see in the narrative. Jesus wanted to teach His disciples a lesson and so he put the woman to the test. The disciples begged Jesus to send her away and He says to them tongue in cheek, “Right, I am only here to save Israelites.” The men didn’t pick up on Jesus sarcasm but the woman did and she came and fell at His feet begging. Jesus said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” Had Jesus not been using sarcasm this would certainly have been a racial slur and a put down but I believe it was a teaching moment and I certainly do not believe that Jesus was calling this woman a dog but that is exactly what the Jews would call her. Jesus is not putting the woman down, He is putting the arrogance and pride of the Jews down. The woman reply is classic, “Even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” I can see a big smile coming across Jesus face and then He said something to her that He never said to a single disciple, “You have great faith.”
Cool and wet, but good weather for study, meditation and prayer. I hope you have a great day and a great weekend. See you in worship tomorrow. LORD willing, I am starting a new series in the gospel of Mark–Miracles In Mark.