(Mat 15:24 NLT) Then Jesus said to the woman, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.”
This morning we continue our new series entitled, “Faith and Patience VOL III – Never Give Up!” I am excited to share with you about a very special woman. She is not talked about much today and she only shows up in the Bible in a few short lines, but what she did personifies never giving up. Let’s get into her story.
In Matthew 15 Jesus entered the region of Tyre and Sidon. This area was also known as Syro-Phoenicia. A Syro–Phoenician woman came to Jesus crying and said, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.” Now stop for a moment to identify with her. We just finished a story about a father who came to Jesus when his daughter was at the point of death. This man (Jairus) was an upstanding Jew in his community and it was common for men to do business with other men in public. However, this was not a man and this was not a Jew. This woman had to muster up the courage to address a Jew in public, and a Jewish man for that matter. But she mustered up the courage because she needed a breakthrough. Her little daughter was demon possessed and she was being severely tormented. What would you do in her situation? What would you do if your child needed a breakthrough and you heard about a man, from a different culture, with a different religion, who had the power to deliver your child? This woman ignored cultural differences and social norms and she headed out looking for the man who could help her daughter. She was determined to see her daughter delivered. I am convinced that miracles are not as commonplace today in the United States because we are too comfortable. Desperation is the breeding ground of miracles and this woman was desperate. She needed a breakthrough and she would not take no for an answer.
So what do you think Jesus did? Surely our loving, caring, and compassionate Jesus immediately helped the woman, right? Wrong! Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Jesus completely ignored her and the disciples urged him to send her away. They said, “Tell her to go away. She is bothering us with all her begging.” Then Jesus said to the woman, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.” The only Gentile (non-Jew) that Jesus had ministered to, to this point in His ministry, was the Roman Centurion’s servant, and He only did so because of the Centurion’s “great faith.” We will see tomorrow if this woman had great faith or not – if she could remain in faith, even when Jesus seemingly disrespected her.
So what does this mean to you today? Two things;
1. Properly acknowledge God. The Syro–Phoenician woman addressed Jesus as the “Son of David” and not “Jesus of Nazareth.” This seems insignificant, but it is not. The Pharisees and Sadducees, in an attempt to belittle Jesus, often addressed Him as Jesus of Nazareth. Nazareth was basically a ghetto. So they were trying to connect Him to something insignificant. However, many of those who received a breakthrough from Jesus called Him the “Son of David.” This was an acknowledgement of his lineage and it alluded to the fact that He was the Messiah. It is interesting to me that a Gentile would address Jesus this way. My point is that if you want something from God you must first properly acknowledge who He is!
2. Don’t get offended. If allow yourself to cross over into offense, while you are expecting a breakthrough from God, you will be waiting a long time. Make no mistake, how you wait does impact how long you wait. Once you start operating in the sprit of offense you will hinder God from operating in your life. Even through Jesus seemingly disrespected her, this woman refused to get offended. Her desire for a breakthrough overrode her feelings.
Closing Confession: Father, I acknowledge You as Lord of Lords right now. I call upon no other name, I acknowledge no other deity, and I recognize no other god. You alone are God, You alone are Lord, You alone are my King of kings, and I worship You. I come to You with clean hands and a pure heart. I have been made clean by the Blood of Jesus and I thank You for it! I declare that I shall pursue Your best every day of my life and I will never allow the spirit of offense to take a grip of my heart. I will remain in love, I will rule over my emotions, and I will keep my faith switch in the “ON” position. I am a believer and not a doubter and Your best shall come to pass in my life! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
