The Gospel of the KIngdom - Matthew - A Pagan's Faith

 

TEXT: Matthew 15:21-28 –  “²¹ Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. ²² 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.” ²³ But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.” ²⁴ But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” ²⁵ Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” ²⁶ But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” ²⁷ And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” ²⁸ 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.

We are continuing in Chapter 15. In this chapter, we have seen Jesus confront the Pharisees, the crowds, and explains His teachings to Peter and the other disciples. We are going to consider two more miracles that He performs. Today muse over how Matthew shares with us Jesus’ healing of the Canaanite woman’s daughter. Let’s get into this study now.

We must consider a brokenhearted mother in this account. There is probably (outside of God’s love) any greater love in the world than a mother’s love for her child. As we see this miracle today, stop and notice the place – Tyre and Sidon (vs.21). They are two Phoenician cities located north of Palestine on the east coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Tyre and Sidon were Gentile regions, so Jesus and the disciples moved into areas that most Jews would have considered unclean. The region in which these cities were located had a long history of paganism and opposition to the Jews.

Which brings us to the plea (vs.22-23). We witness a broken-hearted mother pleads with Jesus to heal her demon-possessed daughter. She cried out very loudly. She pleads for mercy – yet, Jesus seems to ignore her cries. The disciples beg Him to send her away – she was making a spectacle of herself.

But we will see the kind-hearted Messiah. He begins by reminding her that His ministry was to the Jews – not the Gentiles (vs. 24). He refers to them as dogs (vs. 26). Notice, He says why take from the children and give to the dogs. In the Jewish mind of that day, anyone who was not of the Jewish race was considered a dog – a pagan. Dogs were not the domesticated animals that we keep and love – they were feral and vicious.

Why would He do this? Did He believe this? 

Jesus knew that what He came to provide was for all mankind. He knew that the salvation of God was not for the nation of Israel alone. He also knew what He was about to do. So, again, why would He do this?

Keep reading. Notice how she responds in verse 27. She speaks with reason – she agrees with Him but asks for just a crumb from His provision. Even the dogs in a house eat up the crumbs from under the table. Jesus then gives her the reward she was seeking (vs 28). He immediately granted her request. She displayed great faith.

This faith is in contrast to the lack of faith in the Pharisees previously. Jesus grants us what we need in response to our faith. We receive grace by faith – not in ourselves, our method of asking, or our own abilities – our faith must be in Jesus and who He is. This “pagan” had faith that Jesus could and would respond to her.

Ponder today, where is your faith placed. Are you holding on to faith in faith – or in the One who is worthy of our faith? Place your faith in Jesus and Him alone.