| WOMAN OF CANAAN: GREAT FAITH OVERCOMES ONE'S SELF |
Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28
Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. 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. But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and besought Him,
saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But He answered and said, I am not
sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped
Him, saying Lord, help me. But He answered and said, It is not meet to take the
children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of
the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. The 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.
Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. 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. But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and besought Him,
saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But He answered and said, I am not
sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped
Him, saying Lord, help me. But He answered and said, It is not meet to take the
children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of
the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. The 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 mission of Jesus on earth had to follow a divine plan (John 2:4). This meant getting
the Jews in Israel ready first, and not getting sidetracked. Later on down the road, Paul
and others would start reaching the Gentiles. Such were the facts, regardless of what
had been learned, seen, heard, or thought at the time by the woman of Canaan
(Syrophenician by nation, Mark 7:26). But the facts were never a stumbling block for
her, because she had something more powerful than all of man's own thoughts. She had
faith in the Savior.
the Jews in Israel ready first, and not getting sidetracked. Later on down the road, Paul
and others would start reaching the Gentiles. Such were the facts, regardless of what
had been learned, seen, heard, or thought at the time by the woman of Canaan
(Syrophenician by nation, Mark 7:26). But the facts were never a stumbling block for
her, because she had something more powerful than all of man's own thoughts. She had
faith in the Savior.
If she had been like many today, she might have said something like: "Why, you bigot!
Are you callin' me a dog? Hmmph. Well, forget it then, I don't want your ol' stale crumbs
anyway..." And then stormed away.
Are you callin' me a dog? Hmmph. Well, forget it then, I don't want your ol' stale crumbs
anyway..." And then stormed away.
But that is not what occurred, because the woman had overcome "self". Instead of taking
offense with man-as-the-measure "fairness", she showed humility, faith, and confidence
to the Lord. She realized that what Jesus said, or what she perceived Him to say:
offense with man-as-the-measure "fairness", she showed humility, faith, and confidence
to the Lord. She realized that what Jesus said, or what she perceived Him to say:
- Did not change her history.
- Did not change her character.
- Did not change her need.
- Did not change her character.
- Did not change her need.
No, in fact what Jesus said was only a prism. Through it her character could be
reflected and revealed, whether she was secure and confident, or insecure with a "chip
on the shoulder." It was a test of faith. She passed with flying colors. That is why Jesus
said to her, O woman, great is thy faith.
reflected and revealed, whether she was secure and confident, or insecure with a "chip
on the shoulder." It was a test of faith. She passed with flying colors. That is why Jesus
said to her, O woman, great is thy faith.
Behind faith usually is some common sense backbone. Recently, I have read more than a
few articles by citizens decrying a loss of common sense. One writer spoke of how lives
and careers can shift on a dime because people are "offended" one time. Another spoke
of how a six year old boy can be charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate.
And if a teenager is disciplined for cursing out a teacher, instead of backing it up, the
parent may file lawsuit against the district over "free speech." The problems here are an
increase in selfishness, spiritual blindness, and vainglory.
few articles by citizens decrying a loss of common sense. One writer spoke of how lives
and careers can shift on a dime because people are "offended" one time. Another spoke
of how a six year old boy can be charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate.
And if a teenager is disciplined for cursing out a teacher, instead of backing it up, the
parent may file lawsuit against the district over "free speech." The problems here are an
increase in selfishness, spiritual blindness, and vainglory.
Ecclesiastes 7:21 warns of taking things too personal: Also take no heed unto all words
that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee: For oftentimes also thine own
heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise has cursed others. Many verses tell of those
taking offence at Jesus (Matthew 13:57; 15:12; 24:10; 26:31; et.al). But hear Jesus in
Luke 7:23, those who have overcome self, instead of being offended and "blowing a
gasket," will be thankful for a great opportunity to obey the truth in Christ.
that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee: For oftentimes also thine own
heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise has cursed others. Many verses tell of those
taking offence at Jesus (Matthew 13:57; 15:12; 24:10; 26:31; et.al). But hear Jesus in
Luke 7:23, those who have overcome self, instead of being offended and "blowing a
gasket," will be thankful for a great opportunity to obey the truth in Christ.
OvercomingSelf.net
Help Your Self article #10