The Crumbs of a Mother's Faith

A Mother's Faith: Lessons from the Canaanite Woman

Bible Passage: Matthew 15:21–28

Summary: In Matthew 15:21–28, the story of the Canaanite woman illustrates the power of persistent faith amid cultural barriers and Jesus' adherence to His mission. The woman boldly approaches Jesus, pleading for healing for her daughter, showcasing profound faith that transcends societal norms.

Application: This passage encourages mothers and all Christians to approach God with unwavering faith, regardless of their circumstances or societal barriers. It highlights the importance of persistent prayer and trust in God's goodness, assuring believers that their faith can lead to transformation and healing.

Teaching: The sermon can teach about the strength found in faith and the significance of coming to Jesus with our needs, just as the Canaanite woman did. It also emphasizes that Jesus welcomes all who seek Him, no matter their background.

How this passage could point to Christ: This story shows that Jesus' mission ultimately includes all people, not just the Jews, prefiguring the Great Commission. It affirms that faith is crucial in our relationship with Christ, who embodies grace and inclusiveness throughout the Scriptures.

Big Idea: A mother's unwavering faith is a powerful testament to God's ability to respond to our needs, demonstrating that persistence in prayer can yield miraculous outcomes.

Recommended Study: Consider exploring the cultural context of the Canaanite woman’s background and how it influences her interaction with Jesus. Look into the Greek terms used in this passage, particularly around faith and healing, to gain a deeper understanding of their nuances. Logos can assist in comparing this account with parallel passages that address faith and healing, providing greater insight into this theme.

1. Persistent Faith

Matthew 15:21–23 “Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.”

This mother approached Jesus with a desperate plea a concerning her daughter. The faith of a mother is something that moves the hand of God.

When a mother prays, something powerful happens in the heavenly realm! A mother’s prayers reflect the desperation of seeing their child overcome the world’s obstacles.

Where are the prayers of powerful praying mothers now?

The Canaanite mother had a need and knew only Jesus could fulfill that need. She called Him the Son of David although she was not Jewish. She recognized that He was the Messiah and was the only help for her daughter.

But Jesus did not answer her. What do you do when you cry out to God and He does not answer? Do you give up and think that He is not listening to your prayers? Or do you keep praying until He responds

Matthew 7:7–8 “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”

To make the situation even more awkward, the disciples who were supposed to represent the kingdom asked Jesus to send her away because she was getting on their nerves with her persistence.

2. Purposeful Worship

Matthew 15:24–25 “But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.”

Jesus response to her is more than just a declaration of his mission but a testing of her faith.

There are times when God tests our faith to determine if it is genuine. His response to her is that His mission is only for Israel.

What do you do when God closes the door to your blessing? When it seems like God is not going to answer?

Her response was to worship Him! When He answered her, she realized she had the attention of the Almighty! If He was ready to respond to her then she was going to worship Him!

Her response is a reminder that in a desparate situation with God, you can’t give up but rather hold on. Now is not the time to turn from God but to turn to Him.

Genesis 32:26 “And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.”

3. Powerful Response

Matthew 15:26–28 “But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.”

At this point, Jesus is moving beyond testing her but elevating her.

He has no obligation to help her because she was not the assignment. He explains the assignment is for the children of Israel.

The fact that He compares who to a dog is an indication that she will get fed but once the assignment with the children was complete. His statement seems harsh and uncaring.

But He wanted to display the magnitude of her faith for all to see, especially His disciples. When He says the children’s bread cannot be given to the dogs, she tells Him, I just want a crumb.

She recognizes that all she needs is a crumb of faith. She doesn’t need it all . She doesn’t need to walk on water. She doesn’t need to see His glory. She doesn’t ask to experience His grace. She just wants healing for her daughter!

It is the desperation of a mother that shakes the foundations of Heaven. Because a mother will pray when no one else will! A mother will hold her child when the world disowns him. A mother will sacrifice herself to ensure that her children are covered!

Jesus saw her faith and because of it, her daughter was healed at that moment!