Faith of a Canaanite.

Matthew 15: 21-28

“The Triumph of a Mothers Love”

Matthew was writing for the Jewish Nation. And he was tracing the movement of Jesus away from the jewish nation towards the lost world of the Gentiles. This was something symbolic and prophetic about this story. Jesus left the small Jewish inland lake and went to a representative of a people to whom the Sea was a highway to the world.

His spirit was longing for that faith which He could not find in Israel but which He knew was waiting for Him in a land where darkness ruled.

I. The Woman of Canaan.

a. Her circumstances. She was a Greek, St. Mark tells us, that is, a Gentile; not one of God’s chosen people, but a gentile by birth, and, by religion. She was a Canaanite, too, living in Phoenicia; she was a descended of the ancient enemies of Israel.

How Desperate she was (15: 21-23a)

b. Her Trouble. Her young daughter had an unclean spirit: She was grievously vexed with a devil.

This Mother, her story hinges on the thrice-repeated words:

But He answered.” I underlined them in 15: 23 “But he answered her not a word.” 24 “he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel” 26. “But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs” And the word “Then”. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt.”

How Determined She Was (15: 23b-27)

This is a vivid picture given to us by Matthew shows us the conduct of the Mother.

1. Devoted love. This mother is just absorbed in her devotion to her daughter. A Mother’s love is no mere sentiment and it is not satisfied to expend itself in idle tears.

2. Unyielding persistency. This Woman would take no refusal. Even when the disciples was tired of her persistence. “Send her away” vs. 23. The disciples a while before, they had said, “Send the multitude away”. 14:15. That was their solution to problems..

How Distinguished She was (15:28)