Everything Jesus did and does is for a purpose. This story is a powerful example for us to follow. The disciples said this woman “crieth after us.” The important thing for us to remember is not how badly we want this or that but how much we want the Lord. If you marry for money, you have to take the spouse to get the cash. If we want what Jesus can do, we have to take him with it. Jesus coaches it out of her so his disciples and each of us can learn a lesson.
Matthew 15:21 “Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. 23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. 24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. 26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. 27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. 28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.”
The problem is our faith, our seeking the Lord. It may be our biggest problem area. We tend to give up too easily and quickly. We do fine as long as our purpose is unchallenged, but in bad conditions or circumstances we go to the Lord but many times give up before we get our answer. This woman can help us. How badly do you want the Lord? Enough to cry after him? That’s what this woman did. Do you believe enough to cry to and after Jesus?
We’ve got faith, but many times we’re not willing to use it and use it long enough. This woman wasn’t going anywhere. Her daughter was possessed with a demon. Only Jesus could deliver her. Sometimes Jesus uses human means to answer our prayers; other times the answer comes straight from heaven. This mother needed such an answer because it was her daughter’s only hope. She didn’t come to Jesus as a shot in the dark. She had heard about him. When Jesus visited her home area, she went to him and was not going home without an answer. Her faith was persistent. Jesus loves our persistence. Our prayers never aggravate him. This woman was determined no matter what Jesus said to her. Imagine our lives if we would be like this woman!
Jesus was not out for publicity. He was in the territory of Tyre and Sidon. The people were political enemies of the Jews. The disciples told Jesus to tell her to get lost. She didn’t let that stop her. Never let the devil talk you into walking away from the Lord. She paid no attention to the disciples, and neither did Jesus. He was not there by accident. He’s in your life right now on purpose.
He seemed to play hard to get. She knew she wasn’t of Abraham’s lineage, but it didn’t stop her. She formally asked for his help. She acknowledged him as Lord and asked for mercy. He seemed to ignore her, and when he didn’t respond she cried out. That’s when he reminded her she was not of the house of Israel. She didn’t stop but said “Lord, help me.” He used a simple illustration on her and said it wasn’t proper for the children’s bread to be wasted on the dogs. She still didn’t stop.
Rest assured. As you put your faith in the Lord, it will be tested. It’s not done so Jesus can learn anything about you. He already knows you through and through. It’s your test so you can learn the degree of your own faith. You never know how strong you are until you have to use your strength. You never know how fast you can run unless something is after you. Jesus knows and wants you to know about yourself.
Become stronger. Cry! Keep crying! Be like this woman. She told Jesus that even dogs got the crumbs from their master’s table. This is why he answered her prayer. Her own faith came to her rescue.
Do you want to know your faith? You won’t unless it’s tested. Do you realize your faith? Do you need to cry out today? Come to the Lord. Cry out? Hold out for Jesus to come to your rescue.
He most surely will.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 