Gospel to the World

Read Matthew 15:21-31, 16:1-12, Mark 7:24-8:26
 
Matthew 15:21-24 Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Gentile woman who lived there came to him, pleading, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.” 23 But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word… 24 Then Jesus said to the woman, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.”
 
JESUS is among Gentiles in Tyre and Sidon. The Lord’s world is the Lord’s pulpit. He will proclaim to the world he has come to set the captives free.
   But was that his plan here? A Canaanite woman was desperate for her daughter. Her plea, “Have mercy on me O Lord, Son of David!” is a believer’s cry to the Almighty God. She sought the One whose mercy healed all diseases. But then Jesus gave her no reply.
   How often have you wondered “Why the silence?” when you desperately needed Jesus’ mercy? What do we do?
   God’s inspired Word here and elsewhere teaches us to faithfully pursue God’s answer. There are times he quickly responded to pleas for healing. But to assume he will always do so is to believe our will is above God’s purpose.
   Only by his mercy has the LORD granted us Kingdom citizenship. He is our God if we faithfully obey his commands. As we pray and plead, we must be ready to wait and watch through God’s silence.
 
Jesus Answers
 
Matthew 15:26-28 Jesus responded, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their master’s table.” 28 “Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed.
 
JESUS heard. He waited. He answered. We can assume he spoke with gentleness and encouragement as he often does when people faithfully come to him. The Holy Spirit will speak through a friend, his Word or a circumstance.
   Jesus is teaching. He used the woman’s persistence and prayer to remind all of the order of God's holy plan of salvation. First the Jew and then the Gentiles will receive his grace. His silence was also a means to draw the woman’s faith into confession. He wants us to know he is listening as we are pursuing him.
   The woman had a great need. So she did pursue him because she believed only a little of Jesus’ power was necessary to cure her daughter. Crumbs are small. They can still taste very good.
    Are you desperate for someone’s wellness – even your own? Pursue God with a relentless faith. Know he is listening for your faith. Then believe his answer will be for your good and his glory.