Bible Verse: Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.” 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.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment. Matthew 15:21–28 NIV
Scripture Reading: Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4; Hebrews 4:16; James 4:6-10
The story of the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15 is a miracle story, but it’s also a mercy story.
A woman came to Jesus in desperation about her daughter. Her request for a miracle came down to three basic but humble words:
“Lord, help me!”
And He did.
If you read this story casually, you may think that “mean Jesus” turned into “nice Jesus” at the woman’s request. Nothing could be further from the truth. Jesus was not “talked into” helping this woman; He was already known as a merciful healer.
This is about a woman who received something from the Lord even though she knew she didn’t technically qualify.
The Jewish nation was the initial recipient of Jesus’ message and miracles. Jesus said He was sent (by his Father) to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 15:24). For a Canaanite to be called a “dog” was not a derogatory term for Gentiles, but simply an expression that she was not a member of the family of God. Jesus was intensely focused on staying true to His assignment to Israel.
Jesus’ message would eventually reach the entire Gentile world. He died to give hope to everyone, and then commissioned His Church to share His Gospel in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).
This woman, at this time, had no status in the Jewish community and was a true outsider. As a Canaanite, she was no child of Abraham. Still, she called out for mercy.
A short definition of mercy is “not getting what you deserve, or getting something good you don’t deserve.” She was asking for something she didn’t deserve, and she knew it.
At first, Jesus didn’t respond at all but didn’t send her away either. The silence was a test. She persisted. When she replied that even dogs get the scraps from the table, Jesus called it “great faith” (Matthew 15:28). He delivered her daughter at that moment. She got her miracle.
Jesus knows us better than we know ourselves, and He knows when we want the miracle but not the Miracle Worker.
So, He tests us. The woman could have easily left the presence of Jesus offended. Instead, she knelt before Him and kept asking for help. She humbly persisted.
As men, we must remember that humility is a strength, especially when approaching God for help. Never let offence or misunderstandings get in the way of trusting God in your moment of need.
Don’t disqualify yourself from a miracle because you don’t feel worthy. Humble yourself and call out for mercy anyhow, as this woman did. These are still powerful words when they come from a humble heart:
“Lord, help me!”
Prayer: Father, I want to learn how to be bold in my faith for miracles but also humble in my attitude. Help me to adjust my attitude where I need to. Help me not to get easily discouraged or offended in my own journey of faith. Show me Your mercy when I feel unqualified. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Reflection: Do you feel unqualified or unworthy when it comes to miracles? If so, consider what Jesus did to make you qualified and worthy through His sacrifice on the Cross. You are not an outsider, but a covenant child of God and can humbly yet boldly ask Him for a miracle. Your blessings are not based on your qualifications but on Christ’s.
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