By Peter Biggs

Matthew 15

21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 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."

23 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." 24 He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel."

25 The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said. 26 He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs." 27 "Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."

28 Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

Can you put yourself into the shoes of a parent whose kid goes wild?

Perhaps you have experienced this as a parent, or know someone who has walked these painful paths?

It starts with concern about their bad friends. Then it's Things found in their bedroom. Then there's the lying... then it's drugs... police... behavior at home - outbursts, rebellion... anger... self destructive acts...

Despite every effort things get worse. There are many dangers for youth. Although evil has always been present, accessibility has never been easier.

There can be few more painful things to happen to a parent - especially as in this case likely a single parent.

I am very touched by how Jesus interacted with ordinary people like you and me. People with painful needs - people at the 'end of their rope.'

We join Jesus 'withdrawing' to a remote non-Jewish place, where he might expect to be unknown.

21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
In the Gospel of Mark, his account of the same story... has more detail... Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an evil spirit came... Jesus had just left judgmental Pharisees. The religious leaders of his won people. They were legalistic, proud... perhaps He is humanly drained... he took time away. We all need 'space' at times.

Jesus was about to be blessed through a very unexpected source...
22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him This interaction is unexpected... a Gentile woman in a Gentile area who knew him. Although Semitic the Cannanites held deep historical enmity with the Jews. She did not make an appointment nor was she 'appropriate' or polite. She came...
crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession."
We don't know how old the daughter was, but nothing is so heart-rending as an incurable kid, nothing brings such brokenness.
C. Everett Koop (ex. American Surgeon General) when a Pediatric Surgeon, said he witnessed and prayed with most of his patients. He seldom found atheism and frequently brought faith.

Although the woman believed that her beloved daughter's healing was only YARDS AWAY... she remained at a distance... perhaps NOT believing Jesus would overcome the centuries of ethnic hatred. Indeed,

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23 Jeus did not answer a word.
Faced with a grieving mother this seems at first strange. What are we to make of it?...

1. Sometimes God listens and does not speak. 2. His apparent unresponsiveness to our simple need may be because he has a deeper need he wants to draw out.

"Many methods of Christ's providence, especially of his grace, in dealing with his people, which are dark and perplexing, may be explained by this story, which teaches that there may be love in Christ's heart while there are frowns in his face; and it encourages us, though he seems ready to slay us, yet to trust in him. Those whom Christ intends most to honour, he humbles to feel their own unworthiness." Matthew Henry Commentary.

Note the undiscerning disciples! They make the mistake we all make at times...

When God is silent we think he is against us
They completely misinterpret Jesus silence as condemnation of the woman. They judged her motive, not believing her confession of Jesus as Lord and Messiah (son of David). Here Jesus silence draws out of his disciples their attitude. Perhaps they were offended she didn't show Jesus the right respect?

Strangely the woman appears to neither be offended or discouraged by Jesus' silence. She cares more for her child than for her pride. Perhaps he looked at here and she read his compassionate eyes. (Words are not the only means of communication).

But We can and do experience painful delays after praying... things getting worse, God not seeming to answer us. It is faith indeed to continue to trust God and not try to draw rational conclusions. Thinking like, 'He doesn't speak to Canannites?' 'God doesn't speak...period'. 'I'm not worthy'... 'He's not there'... 'He doesn't care'

She keeps her eyes on Jesus... she keeps speaking whether he replies for not. This is a microcosm of PRAYER.
Persistence has it's place especially in praying for our children.
25 The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said
His silence draws her closer to him, notice she is no longer at a distance crying out. Perhaps that was Jesus reason for not answering her. He wanted her to come closer to him.
But there is BAGGAGE... A common description used by Jews of Gentiles was 'dogs'. Both knew that, Jesus is simply acknowledging reality and describing the bigotry.
26 He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."
27 "Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."
This is a truly remarkable answer! One that caused great emotion in Jesus.
28 Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
The NIV Bible translation fails to translate Greek exclamation "Oh Woman!" The term is added to demonstrate an explosive and emotional pronouncement.

Reconciled by the cross into an intimate relationship with Jesus, we might not appreciate our ability to give Him joy and even amaze Him!

Perseverance in prayer - don't be discouraged at God's apparent silence. You may have 'great faith' - waiting to be exposed.

God is the only one who can deliver 'demons' - he still delivers people from evil.

October 1/2009