A Canaanite Woman’s Persevering Faith:

Context:

• Jesus has challenged the Pharisees about following traditions rather than the commandments of God.
• He explained that defilement overflowed from an inward problem.
• Now He withdraws to the district of Tyre and Sidon, northwest of the Sea of Galilee on the Mediterranean coast.
• Mark 7:24 says He entered a house and didn’t want anyone to know.
•  He was looking for solitude, but couldn’t find a hiding place.
• A Canaanite woman fell at His feet and begged Him to cast a demon out of her daughter. 
• When Jesus didn’t answer her a word, His disciples begged Him to send her away.

 When has God's silence (not a word) been a test of our faith?

Matthew 15:24-26 “...He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs...”

Mark 7:27 “...And he said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs...”

Was Jesus only sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel?

• That’s what He said. But “fed first” does hint toward others being fed as well.
• In Jewish Palestine, dogs were scavengers.
• You certainly wouldn’t give the children’s bread to scavengers.

• Matthew 7:6 “...Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you...”

• Revelation 22:14-15 “...Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood...”

What counter-argument did the woman make?

• In well-to-do Greek custom, dogs were sometimes pets.
• Children are fed before pets, but pets do get the crumbs that are dropped.

Matthew 15:28 “...Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly...”

Mark 7:29 “...And he said to her, “For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter...”

Why did Jesus heal her daughter?

• He was sent to set the captives free.
• Her faith and persistence, connected with His power and compassion.

In what way and on what grounds do we approach Jesus?

• Do we have confidence that we are children that deserve the bread?
• Do we have the humility, confidence, and perseverance to at least get scraps?
• Do we see in Jesus the only hope for meeting our deepest need?
• Are we persistent when He is silent?
• Do we reason with Him when He speaks?

Compare this Gentile woman’s response to Jesus to that of the Jewish leaders.

• The Jewish leaders rejected what Jesus was bringing to the planet.
• The Gentile woman begged for what Jesus was bringing to the planet.
• How do we respond what Jesus brings to the planet?

Mark 7:30 “...And she went home and found the child lying in bed and the demon gone...”

Do we want what Jesus offers, or do we want what the devil offers?

Do we recognize the source of our wants?