Faithfulness of a Mother

Intro:

Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28 & Mark 7:24-30

21 And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” 23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

Mark 7:24–30 “And from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house and did not want anyone to know, yet he could not be hidden. But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. And he said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” But she answered him, “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” And he said to her, “For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter.” And she went home and found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.”

The Faithfulness of a Mother

In lieu of Mothers Day I want to look at a story about a Mother.

Illustration of a Mother and her Characteristics.

SEGWAY:

Moms have you ever felt like you needed to get away?

But when you got away you felt like you needed to get back?

Shelly and I went away for a week to Amish country (Bed & Breakfast) during mother’s Day weekend (2003 or 2004).

We looked forward to getting away.

No kids

No plans

No worries

It took me until Wednesday to buy into this concept.

I’m not sure my wife ever did.

All moms can relate, RIGHT?

It was wonderful to get away, but it was even more wonderful getting back.

BODY:

In this passage of scripture we see Jesus sensing the need to get away.

Let’s look at this passage of scripture (Matthew) and see what I mean ……

21 And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon.

Jesus was dealing with the Jews (Leadership) and was to the point of going to the Gentiles to minister.

The district of Tyre and Sidon are 30-60 miles away.

He was spiritually withdrawing from the Jewish leadership yet was not geographically withdrawing from them.

Tyre and Sidon is today’s LEBANON and SYRIA

22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.”

The word “Crying” is the Greek word (Krazo)

Matthew is the most Jewish of the gospels.

He references anyone who is not an Israelite as a “Canaanite.”

He also helps us see this woman’s reverence and respect (Have mercy on me Oh Lord, Son of David)

23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.”

I had a hard time with this verse.

Why did he not answer her right away?

I believe it was 2 things (Deliberate and Dramatic)

The disciples had pity on her! Asking Jesus to grant her request and send her away.

24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

Another part of this passage I had a hard time with.

We have to come to the conclusion that Jesus is teaching his followers a lesson.

He is asking the woman this question but he is really addressing those who are HIS followers.

This verse could easily be rearranged into a question, “Was I sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel?”

25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.”

What we see is a Mothers Heart!

She is connecting herself to her daughter “Help Me!”

Helping the mother is helping the daughter.

26 And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”

Again, a teaching moment for His followers not so much the woman.

He is referencing “children” to the Israelites and “Dogs” were considered anyone who was not an Israelite.

27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

By this woman’s answer which demonstrated the FAITH of a (Canaanite, Gentile) her daughter was healed.

CLIMAX:

There are 5 things we learn from this faithful Mother …..

Determination (Drive) (22)

She sought after Jesus.

Not knowing where he was but had the drive and determination

Knowledge (22)

Understood who Jesus was!

Not just Lord and the Son of David

But Healer

Passion (25)

This verse reveals the Heart of this Mom!

Tenacity (resolve) (27)

A willingness to do whatever it takes!

Faith (28)

Not living by FACTS but FAITH

Facts are 2 + 2 = 4

Faith is Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

CONCLUSION:

Mom’s I know you have had those moments you felt like GETTING AWAY!

Jesus felt the same way!

But it was never to run from ministering but to embrace what was next!

Mom’s, its ok to get away so that you can embrace what is next!

I recall a mother who, despite facing economic hardship, trusted God to provide for her family. She expressed her faith through her actions, working tirelessly and still finding time to pray, giving her children a powerful example of dependence on God in hard times.

Thank you for your determination, knowledge, passion, tenacity, and faith.

Thanks for being a “Faithful Mom!”

But what about all of us today?

Lets ask ourselves today though, “What does the Canaanite woman's passion for her daughter teach us about having a passionate heart in our own faith walk?”

A mother's faith, like that of this Canaanite woman, who pleaded with Jesus to heal her daughter …..

Despite the initial rejection, she persisted with unwavering faith, believing in His power and refusing to be discouraged.

In the end, her persistent faith moved the heart of Jesus and her daughter was healed.

Just like this mother, our faith in God's promises must be resolute, even in the face of challenges and apparent rejection.

In your workplace, you may encounter challenges that test your faithfulness.

Take inspiration from the Canaanite woman's unwavering faith and persistence.

Stay committed to your tasks and relationships, knowing that God sees your efforts and will reward your faithfulness.

In your interactions with others in public spaces, you may face discrimination or judgment.

Reflect on the Canaanite woman's boldness and humility as she approached Jesus.

Show love and grace to those around you, embodying the faithfulness of a mother in your actions.

When faced with ethical dilemmas at work, you might be tempted to compromise your values.

Recall the Canaanite woman's perseverance and trust in Jesus.

Stand firm in your faith, knowing that God honors those who remain faithful in all circumstances.

Happy Mothers Day