READ MATTHEW 7:25-30 & MARK 15:21-28

Jesus had already proven His power over the devil.  He used scripture to resist temptation in the desert.  He exorcised many demons during His ministry.  The word was out and everyone knew about it.  There was division among the Jews.  Some truly believed that Jesus was the promised Messiah.  Some thought He was just another false prophet, while others thought He was stirring up a rebellion.

Jesus and His disciples traveled to the region of Tyre and Sidon.  Prophesies were written about the area in the Old Testament.  This was home to the Gentiles.  Why would Jesus go to a place where He knew He wouldn’t be well received?  Jesus always has a purpose for everything He does.  His divine wisdom drew Him to the spot, precisely because it was a heathen nation.

Can you imagine having a child possessed by a demon?  When our children are overtaken by any kind of evil, our hearts break for them.  When they get mixed up with the wrong crowd, test their limits, or worst of all curse God, we are helpless as parents. The only thing that helps is intervention from the One who defeated Satan.

Many might say that Jesus was being inconsiderate by turning the woman away.   She wasn’t one of His chosen.  Still, isn’t that precisely what Jesus is trying to show us with this miracle?  His gift of redemption was not just for the Jews.  It was for all people.

We as Christians should think about this seriously.  Turning someone away from God’s truth for any reason is like slapping Jesus in the face.  When we prejudge or are unaccepting , we aren’t giving the most amazing gift designed for all people.

This woman heard of Jesus’ healing miracles.   She came to Him with a broken heart, begging for her daughter’s life.  His disciples tried to shoo her off and even Jesus chastised her.  He said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel,” she should have given up, but she didn’t.  She persisted, because she knew Jesus could help her child.

Jesus continued with this response, ““It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”  That doesn’t sound like my Jesus.  Many think He was insulting this woman, but He was testing her faith.  Her answer was indicative of the extent of her believing.  She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”  During this interchange it became apparent that the woman indeed believed in Jesus’ power to save her child.  Her child was immediately healed because of her faith.

The wonderful message of the entire Passion history makes this claim.  Jesus came for the lost sheep of the world, which includes everyone of us.  He makes no distinction.  We shouldn’t either.  We’re all alike in His sight.  That means we all have the merciful gift of salvation.  It’s our obligation to share this wonderful news.