Daily Devotions
Matthew
Among Gentiles!
Text: Matthew 15 : 21 - 28
How grieved Jesus must have felt, deep in His heart. The multitudes had not really comprehended Him. The scribes and Pharisees resented and rejected His teachings, in favour of the traditions of the elders. His own select disciples also failed to fully understand His teachings.
Once again, Jesus changed location of ministry. This time He went to the regions of Tyre and Sidon. How would these two cities, largely populated by Gentiles take to Him?
“Then Jesus went out from there and departed
to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region
and cried out to Him, saying,
‘Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David!
My daughter is severely demon-possessed.’
But He answered her not a word.”
MATTHEW 15:21-23a
THE DESPERATE CRY OF THE CANAANITE WOMAN
The poor lady from Canaan was distraught! Who could she turn to for help? The fame of Jesus had spread far and wide. It had come to the shores of Tyre and Sidon. But she couldn’t bring her daughter to Jesus! She knew how the Jews felt about Gentiles in their country. They were barely tolerated! Would Jesus ever come to her region?
The dearest wish in her heart came true! Jesus was rumoured to have come into the region of Tyre and Sidon. Without hesitation she went to Jesus and pleaded with Him for mercy. Two unusual things stand out in this text.
1. The address of the Canaanite woman
The way the woman of Canaan addressed Jesus was most unusual – at least for a Gentile! The title, “Son of David” was strictly a Jewish title! A person of Jewish heritage might be able to plead with Jesus using this title. But a person of Gentile lineage?
What is also peculiar is the fact that the term “Canaanite” was used to describe this person who lived in the region of Tyre and Sidon. The term “Canaanite” was also derogatory in usage. It was a term that was used way back in the days of Moses. God had given instructions to Israel to be sure that they had no ties with Canaanites! Surely, there must have been a special reason why Matthew used this word to describe this Gentile woman.
2. The Silence of Jesus
What is also strange in this text is that Jesus appeared unmoved and unresponsive to the desperate cries of the woman! “He answered her not a word!” The disciples had never seen Jesus remain impassive to anybody’s cry for help.
Why had He not responded? Why indeed did He choose to come to this region of Tyre and Sidon, if He was not going to help anyone?
THE MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE DISCIPLES
The disciples did not understand this unusual reaction of Jesus. It seemed as if He was walking away from the woman without saying a word.
“And His disciples came and urged Him, saying,
‘Send her away, for she cries out after us.'”
MATTHEW 15:23b
Jesus had not answered the Canaanite woman. However, she continued to cry out for help, pleading with a great sense of sorrow! Her importunate cries began to grate on the nerves of the disciples and thus they urged Jesus to dismiss her if He was not planning to help her.
THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE CANAANITE WOMAN
The disciples knew that Jesus was under no obligation to help the Gentiles. If they did not understand the silence of Jesus, they were now confounded that Jesus now turned around to speak to the Canaanite woman. He was not going to dismiss her after all!
“But He answered and said,
‘I was not sent except to the lost sheep
of the house of Israel.'”
MATTHEW 15:24
What did Jesus say? He was right, of course! Jesus’ mission was with reference to the house of Israel. She was not of the house of Israel – that she knew all too painfully. Yet, somehow she understood what Jesus meant when He spoke those words! He was not turning her away! He was saying that she should not address Him as “Son of David”. She had no claim on that title at all! Was there any hope for her daughter then? Faith saw a ray of hope!
“Then she came and worshipped Him, saying,
‘Lord, help me!'”
MATTHEW 15:25
Yes, she had no claim to Jesus as the Son of David! She had no share in the fortunes of the house of Israel. But she knew that Jesus was more than just a Messiah to the Jews. Was He not also Lord? Then on that premise she would plead for mercy on behalf of her demonized daughter! The woman of Canaan was not deterred by the seeming barrier that prevented her from appealing to Jesus for help effectively! Her faith was further bolstered by the desperate need of her daughter who was badly demon possessed! What a contrast the woman represented! A Gentile woman displaying faith!