Tag: Jesus silent
Perseverance Presses Through–“Give Me Crumbs!”
Scripture reading for October 29: 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 her, “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.””
A Canaanite woman approached Jesus asking for mercy for her daughter. Although she and her daughter were Gentiles, she believed that Jesus could help deliver her from demons. Jesus did not respond to her request. She kept on crying out, so much that the disciples begged Jesus to send her away. Jesus responded to their request with the simple statement that He was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel. He appeared to discriminate against her as a Gentile.
She must have heard this exchange and came to kneel at Jesus’ feet humbly requesting His help. As He spoke to her, He likened healing to the ‘children’s bread’. It would not be right to throw that ‘bread’ to ‘dogs’. This term referred to the family pet as not having the same right as the children of the house. Nevertheless, the woman pressed through to appeal to Jesus that even the ‘dogs’ got to eat the crumbs from their master’s table. This brought a warm response from Jesus, declaring her faith as ‘great’ and granting her request accordingly!
Even though a Gentile, this amazing woman addressed Jesus as “Lord” and “Son of David” showing her respect and faith. She patiently appealed to Jesus, even though Jesus remained silent. Upon hearing what appeared to be discrimination, she still stood her ground asking for His help. Even when faced with a refusal from Jesus, she still asked for crumbs! Would that we had faith to press in!
Prayer: Father God, thank You for this Gentile woman and the perseverance and faith she exhibited. Fortify my heart to stand firm in prayer for the needs of hurting children. Amen.