Faith that Walks
Matthew 15:21-28 tells of a woman with a demon-possessed daughter, who sought Jesus’ power. The circumstances are interesting. First, true faith is sometimes found where least expected—“A Canaanite woman
from that region came out.” (v. 22a) She came from the “the district of Tyre and Sidon” (v. 21) … a Gentile! Second, suffering is sometimes a blessing—“Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David.” (v. 22b) Her trouble brought the woman to Christ. Without it she might have never seen Jesus at all. Every problem can do us good in the end—turn us from the world, send us to the Bible, drive us to our knees. Third, a Christian is sometimes less compassionate than Jesus Himself—“His disciples came and begged him, saying, ‘Send her away, for she is crying out after us.’” (v. 23b) This spirit exists today among believers. They discourage those seeking Christ, instead of helping them. They doubt a sinner’s faith, because of his past. The mother’s prayer seemed completely unnoticed—Jesus “did not answer her a word.” (v. 23a) She continued to pray. Then, Jesus’ words were very discouraging—‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” (v. 24) She continued to pray: “Lord, help me.” (v. 25) The Lord’s next response was even less encouraging His first—“It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” (v. 26) She continued to pray, asking for some “crumbs” of mercy—“Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” (v. 27) Her persistence was finally rewarded: “Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” (v. 28) Remember this story, when you pray for yourself. We are tempted to think that our prayers are doing no good; that we might as well give up. Don’t! “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9
Sin cera, Erik
Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.