The message was brought by Rev. Bob Surber on May 11, 2025.
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.
This scripture can be challenging to understand. What is Jesus doing?
Men and kids have this in common: we are messy eaters. When I go to Norma’s for beans and cornbread, I usually drop some bread onto the floor. Then I feel something furry at my ankles, and her dog Ruby is there like a vacuum cleaner to get it up. This illustrates our place in God’s plan. He came for the Jews, the people of Israel, but he included us all–even the Gentiles who were considered dogs to the Jews in that time in history. Jesus is approachable. He is accessible. Even if he seems indifferent, remember the Lord works on his own time frame, not ours.
Jesus reminded this woman that he was sent as the Messiah to Israel. The woman was reminded that it wasn’t proper to take the children’s (Jews) bread and give it to the dogs (Gentiles). Jesus had a purpose for being where he was, right on the border of Israel and Tyre/Sidon. That was a long way. He was near to them, accessible to them that day. Jesus is nearby all the time. He’s accessible for us, our children, our families, and our friends. He has the power to do just that even though we don’t deserve it. Even his crumbs are powerful!
Mark tells us that this woman was Greek, not of the Jewish nation. Don’t think that because you’re different from me or others that Jesus doesn’t love you. Whether a person is a hillbilly or a city slicker from NYC, he came to be Savior of all people. This woman was a pagan. I don’t know what religion she practiced but there were many pagan gods. They had failed her. Everywhere she tried she had found no help for her. Our prior religion or beliefs failed us. They fail everyone. They aren’t real. We must put our faith in God and his Son Jesus Christ. When we do that, believing in the work of Calvary and the resurrection, we can be saved. Our prayers can be answered. Accept Jesus into your heart.
This woman was a nobody. Her name isn’t mentioned. No matter how much the devil says you don’t matter, you’re not a nobody to Jesus. He came all that way that day for a nameless woman. What a Savior we have! She wasn’t coming for herself; it was for her daughter. Somehow a demon had gotten control of her child. She was desperate for a way to help her. She knew her daughter needed supernatural help. She’d heard about Jesus. In her heart she probably longed for a way to meet him. One day she hears he is nearby. She goes to him not caring about anything but finding help. If we look for Jesus, we will find him.
Verse 22 tells us she cried out Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. He was touched even though he appeared not to be. He was silent. He had a purpose in his response. Remember, his silence is for a purpose. He’s always touched by our infirmities. The woman didn’t give up. Jesus told her I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. He was right in what he told her. His first offer was to the Jews. But why then was he so close to this border? Because He’s always near. Keep asking. Keep seeking. Don’t give up. To his response the woman came and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. That’s all it takes. Worship him. Ask for help. Humble yourself before him. He told her it wasn’t proper to give bread belonging to the Jews to her. She agreed, but in faith said Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. Jesus then told her woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. Her daughter was healed immediately.
Wherever that girl was, the healing came. She was set free from the devil. No border. No situation is too great. No distance is too far for the Lord. Just come and say “Lord, help me.”
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 