Crumbs From The Master’s Table

Matthew 15:21–28 (NASB 2020)

21 Jesus went away from there, and withdrew into the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and began to cry out, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely demon-possessed.” 23 But He did not answer her with even a word. And His disciples came up and urged 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 Yet He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27 And she said, “Yes, Lord; but please help, for even the dogs feed on the crumbs that 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 desire.” And her daughter was healed at once.

The Separation vs 21

Jesus got away from Jerusalem and its attacks from the scribes and pharisees (Religious Culture)

The scribes (The writers and legal group of the law)

The Pharisees (The religious leaders and most influential presence)

Jesus left the community of God’s people (Where He should be safe to go to enemy territory to find solace)

False God worship of the Ashtoreth

Considered Pagan people

Jews didn’t associate with them.

The Desperation vs 22a

Canaanite woman searching for Jesus

Left her environment of pagan worship (Religious Culture)

In her desperation seeking the savior by reputation only because all else has failed her with her home town

She left out of her community/culture crying out for the Master to help her.

The Declaration vs 22b

Recognized need: Mercy (Self/Child)

Recognized Authority/Power: Lord

Recognized Reign: Son of David

Request: Deliverance from demon possession

Realization: She didn’t allow her religious culture to blind her personal state and standing or her children(s)

In our modern culture we have embraced the tolerance and acceptance attitude which tends to ignore the need of deliverance, repentance and total surrender.

The cultural commercialization of sin tolerance and empathy for sin has distorted the perspective of our communities and church environment.

So it is imperative when we see this woman, leaving her toxic community, religious culture, and sin empathetic culture; she made up her mind to say I need the one person who can change my situation.

The Anticipation vs 23

The Lord didn’t Respond. (Put A Pin Here!)

God’s silence is NOT a denial.

God’s silence is NOT a rejection

The Disciples response

Send her away

She’s shouting at us! (Are they serious?)

Lord is singular not plural and they had not demonstrated any power outside of Christ independently successfully.

They recognize the cultural difference and treated her as the culture does.

The Disciples wanted to control how she’s treated.

Be careful of who tries to determine your care

Be prayerful for your leadership for discernment because your life may depend on it.

The Deliberation vs 24-25

Jesus responds to His purpose, not her issue

Jesus responds as the Messiah

Jesus responds as being sent to one people group (House of Israel and not gentiles)

Her response to get His attention

She changed her position (Got Closer)

She resume her condition (State before the Lord)

She assumed a posture of suitable acceptance (WORSHIP)

She cried out to Him “Lord, Help me!”

She never gave up her plea.

The Anticipation vs 26

Jesus response has cultural intent and Messianic perspective

It was also a very harsh statement prompting a strong intellectual response or emotional reaction

The Determination vs 27

Her need was greater than the cultural indifferences

Her need was greater than the religious climate

Her faith was greater that the societal hatred and social tolerance

Her faith superceded the delays and challenges she faced.

“Yes, Lord; But please Help!”

Her faith did not challenge her humility before the Lord.

She didn’t approach the Lord with a sense of entitlement, but total surrender.

Her response was a declaration of faith and humility also understanding her position at the feet of the “Master’s table.”

The Acclamation vs 28

Jesus recognized her faith with an commendation “Your faith is great!”

She overcame the cultural obstacles

She overcame the political obstacles

She overcame the religious obstacles

She overcame the societal rejection from people (Disciples vs 23)

She overcame the journey

She overcame her personal journey

She didn’t allow the silence and words of deliberation disrupt her focus

Jesus silence

Jesus response he’s here for the “lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

Jesus response of “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” vs 26

She overcame her personal feelings to remain steadfast.

She overcame her psychological perspectives to persevere regardless of the exhaustive anguish she endured.

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”

~Martin Luther King Jr.

“If we cannot believe God when circumstances seem be against us, we do not believe Him at all.”

~Charles Spurgeon

Jesus rewarded her faith and it was immediate