23 But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and implored Him, saying, “Send her away, because she keeps shouting at us.”
24 But He answered and said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
25 But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, “Lord, help me!”
26 And He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”
27 But she said, “Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”
28 Then Jesus said to her, “O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed at once.” Matthew 15:21-28.
Notice the humility of this Canaanite woman. She knew that she was not entitled to any help. She knew she was a Gentile outside of the chosen people that many would think was the sole group for Jesus’ blessing. She knew she wasn’t even a Samaritan who could argue that she was at least of mixed blood in the same country. She did not hide that fact. Rather, she recognized Jesus’ Jewish lineage by calling him “Son of David”.
When Jesus answered her by stating: “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”, she did not try to argue that it was not fair that only Jews would be entitled to that “bread” of healing. Rather, she only pled for the crumbs. She only pled for mercy.
But, also notice the persistence of this Canaanite woman. She cried out, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed.” . She kept shouting. She came to Jesus and bowed down. She did not give up at Jesus’ answer. She listened carefully to Jesus and responded directly to Jesus’ answer.
This Scripture for today reminds me of the story of the Pharisee and Publican. Consider the importance of humility.
“9 And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt:
10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11 “The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
12 ‘I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’
13 “But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’
14 “I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14. (Emphasis added.)
This Scripture for today also reminds me of the story of the Widow and the Judge. Consider the importance of persistence.
“1 Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart,
2 saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man.
3 “There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent.’
4 “For a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man,
5 yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.'”
6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge said;
7 now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them?”
8 “I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:1-8. (Emphasis added.)
In conclusion, the Scripture for today, as well as the other two parables, teaches us both the importance of humility and the importance of persistence. Thank you.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 