Tag: children's bread
“Great faith!”
Scripture reading for April 26th: Matthew 15, Psalm 83, Proverbs 21
Matthew 15:22-28 “And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and begged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” 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.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.”
Jesus encountered a Canaanite woman who has sought Him out for the deliverance of her daughter from demons. She had diligently pursued Jesus and was crying out for mercy and help in this hopeless situation. Jesus at first did not even answer her request. Persistently, she kept on crying out to the disciples and finally the disciples begged Jesus to send her away. Jesus answered them by saying that His mission was to the lost of the Jews. The woman knelt before Jesus and asked again for help. Jesus responded by telling her that the ‘children’s bread’ (healing for her daughter) was not to be thrown to Gentiles (dogs). She persistently asked for crumbs from the master’s table! At this, Jesus proclaimed her faith as “Great faith!” The child was immediately delivered!
Psalm 83:1 “O God, do not keep silence; do not hold Your peace or be still, O God!”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for this example of great faith and persistence to press in to obtain the promises You have made. Forgive me for my ‘little’ faith of not trusting You or doubting Your goodness and mercy towards me or others I am ministering to. Strengthen my faith today and help me to always press in and trust You for the needs I have or prayers that need answers. Do not be silent, O God!
Proverbs 21:5 “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.”