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WHAT
IT TAKES TO BE A WOMAN OF FAITH
Matthew 15:21-28
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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 suffering
terribly from demon-possession."
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 their dogs."
"Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their
masters' table."
Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And
her daughter was healed from that very hour.
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Jesus leaves the land of Israel for the first
time during His public ministry. Jesus sent His disciples out
instructing them to go into the cities of Israel but not beyond her
boundaries.
Now Jesus Himself steps over the boundaries
of Israel and laid down a great principle. He will now receive the
Gentiles after being rejected by His own people.
At this time a Syrophoenician (Canaanite)
woman of the region of Tyre and Sidon, came out to see Jesus. This
woman was a mixture of several races and a true Gentile. She had no
claim on Jesus as the Son of David, and when she addressed Him as
such, He answered her not a word. Jesus’ disciple even wanted to
send her away because she was causing a disturbance and probably a
little embarrassment.
In this passage, this woman shows what it
takes to be a woman of faith.
Three Principles
1.
Realize you need the mercy of God. (Vs. 21-23)
In verse 22, the first
thing she cried out was, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David.”
Though not a convert
to Judaism, the woman must have known of the promised Messiah
because of how she addressed Him. Jesus did not acknowledge her
request because He saw her faith. This need that she had, brought
her to Jesus. Apart from her difficulty she might never have met
Him. She realized she needed His mercy.
2.
In your test of faith, don’t give up. (Vs. 24-26)
Jesus comes back
with a statement in verse 24, which might have seemed a bit harsh,
but it was a statement of fact.
Despite Jesus’
answer, the woman was not deterred. She did not give up; she bowed
down before Him saying, “Lord, help me.” She was persistent and did
not give up. Her faith was not merely superstitious hope for a
miracle, but a solid trust that would not be denied. (v.27)…
Never Give Up!
3.
Know that the slightest crumb of His power will be sufficient. (Vs.
27-28
She was willing to
have a crumb from the feast that was meant for Israel. She was
willing to bear the reproach because she believed in the Lord
Jesus. The words that she spoke revealed that
her faith was great.
Women, does what you speak, reveal that your faith is great?
This
woman spoke it and it was done for her as she wished.
Let
it be known, that you “are” a “Woman of Faith”
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