WORTHY TO BE CALLED “MOTHER”
“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. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, ‘Send her away, for she cries out after us.’ But He answered and said, ‘I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’ Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, ‘Lord, help me!’ But He answered and said, ‘It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.’ And she said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.’ Then Jesus answered and said to her, ‘O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.’ And her daughter was healed from that very hour.” Matthew 15:21-28 (NKJV)
There is much we can learn from this Canaanite mother. Indeed she was worthy to be called “mother”. She needed help for her demon-possessed daughter and she refused to take “no” for an answer. The attitude of Jesus was intended to test the faith of this mother and her great faith resulted in the healing of her child.
THIS MOTHER WENT TO THE RIGHT PERSON!
"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." Matthew 15:22
She was drawn to Jesus by the great things she had heard of Him and was driven by the greatness of her need. Her daughter was grievously ill.
THIS MOTHER WOULD NOT BE OVERCOME BY DISCOURAGEMENT!
She would not be discouraged when Jesus did not respond to her cry for mercy:
“But He answered her not a word.”
She would not be discouraged by the contempt shown her by Jesus’ disciples:
"And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, ’Send her away, for she cries out after us." Matthew 15:23
She would not be discouraged by the hard doctrine that Jesus declared:
“But He answered and said, ’I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Matthew 15:24
THIS MOTHER PERSISTED IN THE RIGHT WAY!
“Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, ’Lord, help me!" Matthew 15:25
One of the most powerful prayers that anyone can pray is embodied in these three words: “Lord, help me!” A person must lay aside all self-righteousness and all confidence in the flesh to be able to cry out from the depth of one’s soul this three word prayer!
She would not be discouraged by the seeming unconcern of Jesus:
"But He answered and said, ’It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs." Matthew 15:26.
The Greek word employed by Jesus was “kynarion” which is best translated “little dogs” (household pets) rather than the scavenging mongrels that roamed the streets and waysides of that day. What might at first appear as highly derogatory was, in reality, tenderly uttered by our Lord.
THIS MOTHER DID NOT ARGUE WITH JESUS BUT ACCEPTED WHAT HE SAID!
“And she said, ’Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table." Matthew 15:27
There are times when we might feel like contending with the Lord when we do not get the response from Him that we are seeking. But wise indeed we are if we honor Him as Lord and continue to humbly ask Him for mercy and compassion.
We are reminded that the word “ask” in Matthew 7:7 is not aorist but present imperative, continuous action, and thus can best be translated “ask, and keep on asking, and it will be given to you.” This mother relentlessly followed this course of action and, as we can readily see, achieved the result she so desperately desired.
THIS MOTHER’S UNDAUNTING FAITH WAS REWARDED BY JESUS!
“Then Jesus answered and said to her, ’O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.’ And her daughter was healed from that very hour.” Matthew 15:28.
O that every child of God would resist discouragement as did this mother from the region of Tyre and Sidon and “ask, and keep on asking” until the righteous desires of our heart are granted. Amen.
