Mothers Day 1997 - Moms, Dogs and Crumbs

Reading: Matthew 15:21-28

26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.”

27 “Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”

28 Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour. Matthew 15:26-28 (NIV)

I.   A Bold Mom

     A.  A Mom in Need

           1.  Her daughter was “badly demonized” - or as the NIV puts it “suffering terribly from demon-possession.”

           2.  Her need was for her daughters well-being.

                 a.  Her daughter’s suffering was her suffering.

                 b.  She felt a responsibility to help her daughter in any way she could.

           3.  Her need and her daughter’s need was beyond her ability to meet without outside help.

     B.  Assertive Love

           1.  Her need and responsibility combined to empower her and make her bold

                 a.  How often doesn’t our neediness and inability paralyze us?

                 b.  Yet this bold woman wouldn’t take “impossible” for an answer.

           2.  She approaches this Jewish Rabbi - knowing full well that Jewish Rabbis don’t talk to Jewish women, let alone gentile women!

           3.  She doesn’t take Jesus silence, or his deflection as his final word.

     C.  Her Relentless Strength

           1.  She may have thought, since Jesus wasn’t paying her much attention: “Maybe there’s something wrong with me. . .”

           2.  But she doesn’t. She just gets bolder. She isn’t about to quit on her daughters best (only?) chance for healing.

II.  A Strange Reply

     A.  Jesus Ignores her

           1.  He just doesn’t say anything to her.

                 a.  This would likely be how a Rabbi of that time might act.

           2.  Why?

                 a.  Did he want to test her faith?

                 b.  Did he not believe her sincerity?

                 c.  Most likely, He wanted to teach the disciples something about His mission.

     B.  Sheep, Bread and Dogs

           1.  Jesus mission was to the lost sheep of Israel.

                 a.  Although Jesus sent his disciples into the whole world, Jesus particular mission was to those people and that time.

                 b.  Even this woman recognizes this when she addresses him as “Son of David” - a title for the Jewish Messiah.

                 c.  Nor does she argue the point with Jesus — she doesn’t demand equality, she begs for mercy.

                       (1)      Mercy is all she can get from Jesus, but she’s just too bold and too relentless not to ask for it.

                       (2)      Mercy is an undeserved sort of thing, and she recognizes her undeservedness — but it doesn’t even slow her down.

           2.  Bread is what Jesus is giving and it’s intended for the children of Israel

                 a.  Jesus message is sometimes compared with bread — life giving, sustaining.

                 b.  Jesus himself says that He is the bread of life.

           3.  To give her bread, Jesus implies, would be taking the bread intended for the children and giving it to their pets — it’s not appropriate.

III. A Statement of Faith

     A.  She recognizes Jesus’ Power

           1.  She goes to Jesus because she believes He can help her daughter.

           2.  She consistently calls him Lord.

           3.  She won’t give up until she has what she came for, because she’s convinced Jesus can give it.

     B.  Crumbs are Enough

           1.  This amazing woman knows that crumbs of Jesus’ power are enough to do what she cannot.

           2.  She doesn’t challenge Jesus mission — she recognizes that this is such a small thing for him to do, it will not detract from His work.

     C.  Jesus makes her an Example

           1.  Jesus tells her, and all around that her trust in Him and his power is unusual.

                 a.  This woman knows that her request does not come out of her belief she deserves Jesus help.

                 b.  This woman knows that what she cannot do, Jesus can do with only a crumb of His power.

           2.  This woman knows that her only hope for help is a sure and certain hope — she trusts that Jesus will help her. And so she doesn’t give up until He acts in a way that is true to His character.

           3.  For all women, all parents, all people wanting to help those in their care — this woman’s faith gives us courage to be bold and relentless as we go to Jesus in prayer.

                 a.  Recognizing that we don’t have the strength, nor deserve God’s help, we go to him and not let go until we get his answer.

The Bottom Line:

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