Crumbs from the Master's Table - May 9th, 2021

Introduction:

Matthew 15:21–28 KJV 1900

21 Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. 22 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. 23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. 24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. 26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. 27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. 28 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.

Today is a special day for us. It is a day that has been set aside to honor our mothers. I am thankful for the mother that God has blessed me with. I am thankful for the mother of my children. My family is blessed with godly women who have a desire to serve the Lord.

We have read of a mother which most of us can relate to. She was a woman who faced a tremendous need in her life. She was desperate and unable to solve her problem. Very little is known about this mother. We don’t even know her name, but we do know that she came to Jesus and her life was forever changed as He met her needs that day.

This mother was a woman who faced a trial in life and yet possessed great faith. She had come with a need and refused to be denied. She was content with the crumbs that fell from the Master’s table. We need those in our day who possess the faith and determination that this mother had to get to Jesus. Our lives and families would be much better if we could only do as this woman did. I want to look at the situation of her life and the change that was made when she met Jesus. There are some truths that have not changed that we need to consider as we look at: Crumbs from the Master’s Table.

[Chris Benfield, “Crumbs from the Master’s Table (Matthew 15:21–28),” in Pulpit Pages: New Testament Sermons (Mount Airy, NC: Chris Benfield, 2015), 182.]

A. Many Women of the Bible Might Provide Sermon Texts for Mother’s Day

1. The mother of Moses or the mother of Samuel

2. Mary, the mother of Jesus

3. Lois & Eunice, the grandmother and mother of Timothy

B. I Have Prayerfully Selected a Lesser Known Mother

1. A woman of great faith

2. A woman who received an answer to her prayer

Body

I. A Mother Reveals Her Problem (Mt. 15:21–23)

Matthew 15:21–23 KJV 1900

21 Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. 22 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. 23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.

A. Many troubled mothers in the world

B. Some things about this mother

1. She was a Canaanite, a Syro-Phonecian

A Canaanite Woman’s Great Faith (15:21–28)

Jesus goes to the region of Tyre and Sidon, and a Canaanite woman cries out to him, asking him to heal her demon-possessed daughter. Jesus initially ignores her plea, and the disciples ask him to send her away. Jesus then interacts with the woman, initially indicating that he was sent only to Israel. She continues her plea, and Jesus persists in resisting. Her final plea indicates her faith, which Jesus praises. He then heals her daughter from afar.

15:21 Jesus departs from the Gennesaret area (14:34) to the region of Tyre and Sidon. This area is on the Mediterranean coast and was gentile territory.

15:22 In this gentile territory, a Canaanite woman knows of Jesus. She cries out to Jesus to heal her demon-possessed daughter. This gentile woman calls Jesus “Lord” and “Son of David.” Jesus has been appealed to with these titles for healing several times (8:2, 6; 9:27).

15:23 Jesus does not reply to the woman at all. The woman evidently continues to appeal to Jesus, so much that the disciples become annoyed. The disciples ask Jesus to send her away. This request by the disciples echoes their request in 14:15 to send the crowds away prior to the feeding miracle. This establishes a pattern of Jesus’ desire to minister in contrast to the disciples’ desire to send away.

15:24 Instead of responding to the disciples’ request, Jesus now responds to the woman’s persistent pleas. He indicates to her that he was sent only to Israel.

15:25 The woman now approaches Jesus and kneels before him, appealing again for help and addressing him as “Lord” (15:22).

15:26 Jesus responds to her plea from the previous verse, expanding on his previous assertion that he was only sent to Israel. His answer is an analogy of a parent feeding children at a table, with dogs standing nearby. This indicates the privilege of Israel, though this privileged status has already been critiqued as insufficient (3:9; 8:11–12).

15:27 The woman recognizes the analogy used by Jesus in the previous verse, equating Israel with the children and the gentiles—and by implication her—with the dogs. Her response continues to use the analogy, but indicates that the dogs belong also to the master (i.e., God). Her acceptance of the analogy also acknowledges the privilege of the Jewish nation and their relationship with God. This corresponds with gentile interaction in the Gospel thus far (2:1–12; 8:5–13, 28–34).

15:28 Jesus responds to the faith displayed by the Canaanite woman in her response. He now responds positively to the request she first made. Her daughter is healed from afar immediately.

[Douglas Mangum, ed., Lexham Context Commentary: New Testament, Lexham Context Commentary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2020), Mt 15:21–28.]

2. By culture and language a Greek

3. By religion up until now a pagan. THIS DAY A CHANGE

I am not being prejudice when I mention the race of this mother, but it cannot be overlooked. She was a woman of Canaan. Mark’s gospel tells us that she was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation. She was one of a condemned race. As God’s people entered the Promise Land, the Canaanites were to be destroyed. These were a people who rejected the Lord and lived in sin and idolatry. In the days of Jesus, things had not changed among the Canaanites. They were still a condemned people who embraced idolatry and denied the true and living God.

▪ Each of us here today is no different. We were each born in sin, separated from God and condemned by our sin. In us there was no desire to worship or serve the Lord. Apart from Jesus, we were hopeless and alone. [Chris Benfield, 182.]

C. Her greatest problem had to do with her daughter

1. She had other problems, but they seemed small

2. The high fever … the anxious hours in crisis

3. To the normal parent all problems seem small when their children are at stake

D. Her daughter was grievously vexed with a devil (a demon)

1. The most distressing of all parental problems is the devil’s attack on their children

This poor mother faced a tragic need. She had a daughter, whom she loved, that was vexed with a devil. She had lived among a sinful people, and the sins of life had affected her family.

▪ I know we had rather not accept it, but sin is the root of our problems. Homes are in ruin and lives are devastated today all because of sin. The harsh reality is that sin brings about misery and death. We can look around in our society and see the effects of sin. Many are facing difficulty today because of sin. Sin brings devastation to all it touches. [Chris Benfield, 182.]

2. The importance of praying for protection from Satan’s attacks on family members

II. A Mother Remains Persistent in Prayer (Mt. 15:22–27)

Matthew 15:22–27 KJV 1900

22 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. 23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. 24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. 26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. 27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.

A. She came to Jesus with her problem.

Blessed is the woman who knows where to go with her problems

B. She believed everything about Jesus

1. She believed He was the promised son of David

2. She believed in His deity

3. She believed in His power to answer her request

4. She believed He was interested and would answer

C. The problems confronting her answer

1. Jesus didn’t answer at first

Her Rejection (23a)—As this mother came to Jesus, He answered her not a word. She had a very real need, but Jesus didn’t respond to her.

▪ This may seem harsh and difficult for us to accept, but there is a principle that we need to understand. She recognized Him as the Messiah of the Jews, the great miracle worker, but she hadn’t yet seen Jesus as the Savior of her soul. She was just looking for Jesus to meet her immediate need, but had no desire to submit her life unto Him in salvation.

▪ Our Lord is a God of mercy, but He knows those who belong to Him. I am aware that it rains on the just and the unjust alike, but the only prayer that the Lord hears from sinners is a prayer of repentance in salvation. (She had to see Jesus as more than One who met physical needs.) [Benfield, 183.]

2. The disciples wanted her sent away

Her Reproach (23b)—And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. The disciples were not sympathetic to her needs. They desired the Lord to send her away. It was clear that she was a Gentile, a woman associated with a sinful people. The circumstances of her life had brought about reproach and a lack of compassion.

▪ That is typical for a life consumed with sin. It often brings reproach and rejection. Many today are living a life of reproach because of their sin. The consequences of sin are never pretty. Few ever stop to count the cost when they engage in sin.

▪ The disciples didn’t fully understand the plan of God for Christ to die for the sins of humanity. We must not look upon the lost and hurting as the disciples did. We need to develop a heart of compassion for those who are without Christ. Let us extend a hand of love rather than condemnation. We must not embrace or encourage sin, but we need to remember that we are all sinners saved by grace. [Benfield, 183.]

D. Her persistence in spite of discouragement

1. Her worship

An Impaired Focus (25)—Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. We find that she worshipped Him. This was the major turning point in her life. She got to the place that she saw Jesus as more than just One who performed miracles. She saw Him as Lord of her life. She worshipped Jesus as a personal Savior. She saw Him for who He is!

▪ Many today have an impaired focus or perception of the Lord. He is often used as a crutch, only called upon when needed. If we can’t worship the Lord and serve Him on the mountain, there is no need to look for Him in the valley. We need to see Jesus for who He is and live our lives accordingly.

An Immovable Faith (26–27)—But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. [27] And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. Jesus wasn’t in the business of casting His pearls before the swine. Most of the Gentiles had no desire for the things of God. They weren’t ready to accept Him. He stated that it wasn’t beneficial to rob the children in order to feed the dogs. For many the response of Jesus would’ve been devastating, but not to this mother. She saw hope in His response. Even the dogs ate the crumbs that fell from the master’s table and just a few crumbs were all she needed. She had enough faith to believe that Jesus had the power to meet her needs as well. She would not be denied.

▪ We need that type of faith in our day. We need those who will continue to seek the Lord in faith believing that He is more than able to meet our needs. We need those who will not give up or abandon their faith. Our God is able to do exceeding, abundantly above all that we can ask or even think. Philip. 4:19—But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Do you have enough faith to trust the Lord with your need? Is your faith immovable? [Benfield, 184–185.]

2. Her simple prayer

The Request (22)—Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. She was a woman with a desperate need. Her daughter was possessed with demons. This mother just wanted her daughter freed of this dreadful condition. Clearly this was a mother who loved her daughter and wanted her to be healed. She had likely heard of the power of Jesus and she hoped that He would help her as well. This woman wanted to get to Jesus. She needed a miracle and she believed He could help her.

▪ Isn’t that what we need in our day? We need mothers, fathers, friends, and loved ones who will get to the Lord. We need those who will cry out on behalf of others. Parents need to realize that there is no substitute for godly instruction and a personal relationship with Christ.

▪ If you are concerned about the needs of your family, get them to the Lord. Bring them to the house of God so that they might learn of Him and come to know Him! I am thankful for a mother that took me to church. [Benfield, 183–184.]

3. The Lord’s strange statements

4. The Lord testing her faith

5. A dog at the table

The Response (24, 26)—But 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. I am certain that these were not the words that this mother expected to hear. Jesus revealed that He had come to the house of Israel first. It was in God’s plan to reach out to the Jews prior to the Gentiles. The time had not yet come for the gospel to be preached to the Gentiles.

▪ These were not words of denial or rejection, they were words of maturity. The woman had not yet realized who Jesus was. She needed to see Him as the Son of God, Savior of the world. Jesus was working in her heart to increase her faith.

▪ Many times we assume silence or unanswered prayer is a denial from God. We often get impatient and seek an immediate answer or solution. Just because God hasn’t answered our prayer when or how we thought He should is no indication that He has forsaken us or denied our request. Often the Lord works in our trials to mature our faith. Often He allows us to wait so that we might trust Him more. We must continue on in the faith. [Benfield, 184.]

III. A Mother Receives Provision from the Lord (Mt. 15:28)

Matthew 15:28 KJV 1900

28 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.

A. O woman, great is thy faith

1. Better than “great is thy beauty”

2. Better than “great is thy professional success”

3. Better than “great is thy influence”

Her Faith was Recognized (28a)—Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. Earlier in this passage the woman was ignored by Jesus. He didn’t even respond to her request. But now Jesus has taken notice. He has recognized the faith of this mother as great faith. This was a sinful, Canaanite woman when she first approached Jesus, but there was a change in her life. It was a change that Jesus noticed. He has not ignored her, He has noticed her and the faith she possessed.

▪ Jesus will recognize and respond to our faith. I can assure you that the Lord will recognize your faith and He will honor it. [Benfield, 185.]

B. Her daughter was made whole from that very hour

Her Faith was Rewarded (28b)—And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. This loving mother received her request because of her faith. The daughter that was vexed with a devil was made whole because of her mother’s faith. The Lord was touched by the faith that this mother had and He met her need.

▪ Persistent, great faith will be rewarded. We could move mountains if we only had faith. Great faith is described by our Lord as faith as a grain of mustard seed. Mat. 17:20—If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

▪ You may have been praying about a situation and it seems that there has been no response. May I encourage you to keep the faith? Just keep praying and seeking the Lord. He will recognize a prayer of faith and He will reward your faithfulness. [Benfield, 185–186.]

Conclusion

1. Come to Jesus with your Problems about your Children

2. The World Could be Changed by Women of Great Faith

I realize that this is Mother’s Day, but there is application in this passage for all of us. Are you facing a trial of faith? Is your life in turmoil? Really all you need are some crumbs from the Master’s table. He is well able to supply.

Maybe you are like this mother in another way. You have prayed and tried to improve your life, but there has been no change. Do you know for sure that you have been saved? Are you a child of God? If not, you need to see Jesus as she did, more than just a miracle worker. You need to see Jesus as the Savior of your soul and trust Him in salvation. Jesus stands ready to meet your need today, but you must come to Him. If He has spoken to you, why not come and bow before Him and let Him meet your need? [Benfield, 186.]

[Outline adapted from: Roger F. Campbell, Preach for a Year (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1997), 83–84.]