Great Faith

N.T.#181 "Great Faith"

Nov. 7, 2023

Matthew 15-Part 7

LET IT GLOW

Friend, I have had prayers answered and prayers still unanswered after years of my asking. That doesn't mean I have giving up and stopped praying. God is so very faithful. It must be according His will, not ours, in order for God to bring it to pass.

Jesus moved on to the northeast, Tyre and Sidon, which is Gentile country. (verse 21) He went into a house, not wanting anyone to know He was there. Yet, news spread. A Gentile woman who lived there approached Jesus, fell down at His feet. She was there to beg Jesus to deliver her daughter from a demon. 

What did the Gentile woman cry out to Jesus? Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. (verse 22)

In the Greek language, grievously means miserably, hurt, sick, make evil affected; vexed means to beg (as binding oneself), petition , make request, pray to; devil refers to be exercised by a demon (be possessed with).

What was this Canaanite woman's problem?

1. Her daughter was suffering severely and needed delivered, which Jesus could do.
2. She acknowledged Jesus as the Jewish Messiah, the Son of David, but Jesus did not say a word to her. (verse 23)
3. Jesus did not answer her right away. (verse 23)
4. The disciples urged Jesus to send her away because she was making a spectacle, a bunch of racket. Jesus' followers were trying to shut up the woman.
5. Jesus was sent on mission to the Jews, not the Gentiles. (verse 24) Yet, Jesus brought grace to all people-Jew and Gentile.

Here was a desperate mother. making a request of healing for her little girl. Her faith knew He could deliver the sweet girl from the demon that possessed her. Yet Jesus was silent.

What do we do when Jesus is silent? When He does not answer our prayers? When we pray the same thing over and over again for years?

LET IT GROW 

Jesus said He was sent unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. (verse 24)

Then came she and worshipped Him, saying, Lord, help me. (verse 25)

First, He should feed the children- His own family (Jews). It isn't right to take food from the children to and throw it to the dogs (Gentiles). How did she answer? Even the dogs under the table are allowed to eat the scraps from the children's plate. (verse 28), NLT)

She knew what Jesus was talking about. She only wanted a crumb, scraps, leftover. Just a word from Jesus and the girl would be made whole. She wasn't going to let go until Jesus blessed her. Such desperate humility. The woman was willing to settle for Jesus' leftovers.

O woman, great is thy faith; be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. (verse 28)

Jesus commends her Gentile belief. What an illustration of us Gentiles being blessed by the Messiah of Israel! Grace and mercy is for us who ask for it.

When God doesn't answer our prayers about a specific need, it's likely He's trying to deepen our faith. so persist in prayer. (Tony Evans)

LET IT GO

We received a plaque in the shape of a cross for pastor appreciation. It has inscribed upon it, "Pray. Let go and let God take over." This came at the right time. Is there something you need to let go of and let God handle it in His timing? He will, dear one.

Grow our faith, Jesus, as we wait for You to answer our prayers.

Help us have great faith.