An Amazing Faith

Matthew 15:21-28, "Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession." Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us. "He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel." The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said. He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs." "Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour." (NIV)

Years ago, when I read this passage, I wondered to myself, Why would Jesus speak so harshly to this woman? Did He want to humiliate her? Was He insensitive to her brokenness?...OR...Was Jesus strategically responding to the woman to demonstrate principles for God's children to read about in future generations?
 
After studying and praying over this passage, I began to grasp the depth of its content. In this passage, Jesus' response completely contradicts His character...it's completely day and night different of His response to the Samaritan woman at the well. So, what was Jesus trying to teach? Why did He respond the way He did?
 
Though His response seems cold and calloused...it cleared the way for a greater truth to be conveyed; Jesus response revealed a future hope for the discouraged, the outcast, and the seemingly insignificant.
 
You see, Jesus didn't want to humiliate the woman; He wanted to reveal her humility. He wasn't calloused to her situation; He wanted to reveal her beauty and faith.
 
Jesus wasn't trying to put the woman down and make her feel worthless, rather He wanted to reveal the beauty of her faith and provide future believers an illustration of how to overcome every disparaging comment and accusation that may be hurled against us...How many times does the enemy taunt us with feelings of insignificance? How many times while in the midst of prayer do we hear sneering, criticizing voices, diminishing our worth?
 
Jesus makes the comment to the woman...NOT to belittle her...but because He knew full well, how she would respond, and reveals how we should respond to feelings of inadequacy. The woman's faith shines through. You see, regardless of her feelings, regardless of her position, regardless of her birthright--the woman cries out to Jesus for help. She doesn't come to Jesus in her wealth, power, or significance...she appeals to God's. Her response screams out....I may be a dog...I may not have any worth...I may not have the nobility or proper birthright...BUT what I'm asking for is a small thing in comparisons to your ability...What I am asking for are mere droppings of crumbs from your table...I'm not asking out of my plentifulness...I'm asking out of my poverty...I'm appealing to your generosity, your wealth, your goodness. Call me what you will...but I know WHO YOU are. I'm not concerned about other's opinions because I know what YOU are capable of! So, have mercy! This is a small thing to You!
 
The Canaanite woman's faith demonstrated her clear revelation of God's ability and power; her response indicated her understanding of WHO HE WAS!
 
And Jesus smiled at her humility, responding "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted."
 
Friends, we come to God humbly, dependant on Him and His mercy. Regardless of the world's estimation of our worth, regardless of our own evaluation of our significance...WE intercede NOT out of our abundance but out of GOD's.
 
I read a story once that Alexander the Great told a philosopher that he could draw whatever he needed from the imperial treasury. But when the man requested an amount equal to $50,000, he was refused--until the treasurer could verify the release of such a large sum. When Alexander heard the mans request he replied, "Pay the money at once. The philosopher has done me a singular honor. By the largeness of his request he shows that he has understood both my wealth and generosity." (http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/p/prayer.htm)


Friends, we serve an amazing God...and though we may feel unworthy, though we may entertain thoughts of insignificance...OUR GOD IS ABLE TO MEET EVERY NEED.

He has granted us access, tore down the barrier of Jew or Gentile, provided the right to enter His throne room boldly...He said you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer (Matthew 21:22).

It's NOT about our ability...aptitude...or abundance...OUR RIGHT IN REQUESTING ANYTHING FROM GOD COMES DIRECTLY FROM GOD. IT'S ALL ABOUT HIM...HIS ABILITY...HIS POWER...HIS MERCY...HIS PROMISES...HIS GOODNESS...

So..."Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  (Philippians 4:6-7, NIV)

PRAYER: Father, we come to You in great faith though we feel weak and weary...we call on You and ask You for miracles...knowing that what we ask from You are merely scraps from our master's table! We are dependant on You. Grant us Your favor. Provide for us. In Jesus name, amen.