Read Matthew 15:21-28
This morning we continue our series entitled, “The Year of Supernatural Manifestation”, with our mini-series on “The Miracles of Jesus”. For the past couple of days we have been looking at the story of the Syro–Phoenician woman and her daughter. This woman is amazing to me. In essence, her faith interrupted Jesus’ plans and it led Him to do something He would not have done otherwise. Allow me to explain.
When you read the Bible you should attempt to understand who is writing, to whom, and for what purpose, in order to understand the context. In addition to context, culture plays a major role in understanding scripture. Jesus was a Jew. He was born a Jew and He spent most of his life ministering to Jews. This is not to say that Jesus did not come for all people, but we must understand the cultural setting of the time. When Jesus ministered to the Roman Centurion’s servant, it was not the norm. When this Syro–Phoenician woman came begging for a breakthrough, the disciples did not think twice before asking Jesus to send her away. When Jesus was compelled to go through Samaria to minister to the woman at the well, even the woman was surprised. She questioned why Jesus (a Jew) would ask her (a Samaritan) for some water, because Jews had no dealing with Samaritans. So the cultural and social climate of the time was obviously divided, much like it still is today. But here’s my point: Jesus was not called to be a social activist. He did not come to address a racial or cultural divide. He came to get us out of the mess Adam got us into. Adam left us a legacy of sin and death. Jesus came to establish a legacy of righteousness and life. Jesus paid the penalty for Adam’s transgression and through Christ Jesus all men can be saved and receive eternal life. Did Jesus love all people? Absolutely! Did Jesus want all people to be saved? No question. But the primary focus of His ministry was not centered on racial or cultural divisions. The ministry to the Gentiles did not truly ramp up until halfway through the book of Acts, when Paul started his ministry.
Understanding the context of Jesus’ assignment and the culture of the day, this makes what the Syro–Phoenician woman did even more impressive. Everything God does for us is done by His grace, but we must access the grace of God with our faith. The Syro–Phoenician woman by no means earned her daughter’s deliverance; it was clearly done by the grace of God. But without question, this woman released her faith to access God’s grace. Without her exceptional level of faith, which Jesus called “great faith,” the grace would not have been extended to her and her daughter in this situation. So in a time when Jesus was going around ministering primarily to Jews, by the grace of God, this woman tapped into that grace with her exceptional faith. And when Jesus said something that could have easily been taken as insulting, this woman had the internal strength to resist the urge to get offended, so she could remain in faith and receive her breakthrough.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
- Everything God does for you is done by His amazing grace. You can never earn, nor should you ever work to attempt to deserve, anything God does for you. Grace is a gift. You can’t work for a gift. All you can do is receive it!
- God’s grace is based solely on His goodness, not your works. Paul said, “If it’s by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.” (Romans 11:6).
- God does not bless you because you are so good. He blesses you because He is so good.
- Your faith is the conduit through which you access God’s grace. Without your faith, you will miss out on God’s grace. This is why it is so very important for you not to get “in your feelings”. You can’t afford to get offended, because once you are offended, you will focus more on your feelings than your faith and God will require you to address your feelings before He honors your faith.
- Great faith can shift things around in the spirit realm for you. When you operate in great faith, God will bypass social norms and human limits to get you your breakthrough.
- Enter every day knowing that one Word from God can turn any seemingly hopeless situation around in an instant!
Closing Confession: Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me. I learn from the Syro–Phoenician woman. I seek to operate with similar determination and faith. When faced with a challenge I cannot overcome, I know You can. There is nothing You cannot do. I tap into Your limitless ability by accessing Your grace with my faith. I keep my faith switch in the “ON” position daily and I never allow anything or anyone to cause me to get outside of LOVE. Faith works by LOVE. If I get offended, or fall outside of LOVE in any way, I know my faith will not work. Therefore, I am committed to live by faith every day of my life and living by faith requires me to live by LOVE! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
