Maybe not, but perhaps sometime in your life you will find yourself without human hope – absolutely helpless. You will have spent all your substance on physicians, and yet your issue of blood has not been stanched. You learn that someone you love is demon-possessed and Sceva and his sons can’t help. You’ve been walking on water for months, but now boisterous waves are beginning to overpower you. And once again you are thrust upon the Blessed Saviour – “Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David.”
Perhaps you have not been struck down with many of the things that I’ve just mentioned, but if you have never been destitute spiritually – I hope that some day you shall be. I hope that some day you will be so crushed by sin that you will be like this Syro-Phoenician mother. I pray that some day, with the help of the Holy Spirit, that you will realize that YOU are the demon-possessed person in this history. This stranger was in so much trouble that she chose to wrestle with Christ, but in the process she won a great victory. She did it with great thoughts of Christ, great self-deprecation, and great faith.
As we have already seen over the last few weeks, the Lord and His disciples had to almost fight for relief from the demands of the multitudes. I don’t know that Christ Jesus needed to get away as much as the disciples did, but I believe so. Twice they tried to escape to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, but first they found people in need, and then later the people in need found them. Once again, they have tried to take a break, by traveling north – out of the nation of Israel. It wasn’t much more than 40 or 50 miles from Capernaum to Tyre on the Mediterranean coast. But 2,000 years ago – on foot – 50 miles was much farther than it is today. So their little journey was something like going from here to Vancouver – out of the country. Despite their escape from Israel, there was no escaping who they were.
This woman with the great need, knew exactly who her Saviour was.
Despite her handicaps, this woman came to the Saviour with a remarkable attitude. Matthew tells us that she was a woman of Canaan. Mark tells us that she was a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician – a Syrian. These things mean that she was Greek by culture and a Phoenician Canaanite by birth. Both her blood and her society, made her a natural enemy of the Jews – an enemy of Jesus. By nature, she was no different from you and me. But her distress made her a supplicant to the Saviour. Somewhere, somehow, she had learned about the Lord Jesus. It appears to me that before they met face to face, she had met the Lord heart to heart.
I might wrong, but she already appears to me to be a child of God by faith. Look at the high opinion that she has of Christ. We notice that she call’s him “the Son of David.” Very few, even of the Jews, ever called Jesus “the Son of David.” Remember that many Jews pictured Jesus as a Galilean, far removed from realm of David. “Can any good thing come out of Galilee?” Was this lady acknowledging the place of Christ’s birth, the hometown of David, or was it something else? King David had been dead for centuries, but there was promise given to him of a son – a very special son. That son was to be Israel’s Messiah – the Christ – even the Saviour of world. Isaiah said “He would be the rod which grew out of the stem of Jesse; the root out of the dry ground.” The context of added – “He is despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. But “he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities.” This lady knew what we know of Jesus; that he is the Christ, the Son of David – also the Son of God???
She also knew and believed that Christ is merciful: “Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David.” This is a sad and selfish world – even among professing Christians. There is so little mercy, kindness and even friendliness shown even between professing Christians. And then there are many with such low opinions of the Saviour and His Father. Like themselves perhaps, so many think Christ has no interest in them – and their pains or their plans. They think that He delights in their sufferings; that He is glorified in their hurt. And in one way this last point is true, but that is only half the story. Ultimately, Jehovah is the God of all comfort – filled with inexplicable mercy. “Like as a Father pitieth his children, so doth Lord pitieth them that fear him.” There is a reason why you suffer; perhaps you can discover the reason and perhaps you won’t. But I guarantee that when a Christian suffers it is not because the Lord has no love for His child. If you can’t find the answer, move on to the next question – “What should I do in the midst of this pain.” That was where this mother was at this point – “Lord, I don’t understand why, but please demonstrate your glory and power by helping us.”
So this woman believed that the Lord had absolute power to heal her daughter. Sure we’re talking about a demon, an angel of Satan, an emissary of the Prince of the power of the air. But ten-thousand legions of these demons are no match for the sovereign authority of Christ. There is nothing which can separate the child of God from the love and heart of Christ. Therefore, like this woman, cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for us.
This lady recognized that Jesus was worthy of worship, verse 27. I know that some might argue that the word “worship” can mean simply to bow or to prostrate one’s self at Jesus’ feet. That is true, but there isn’t a single argument of syntax, linguistics or logic to say that this woman was not worshiping Christ in the absolute sense of glorifying God. Jesus Christ is worthy of our most pure and reverential worship. He is the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and God among gods. Jesus of Nazareth is the Jehovah of the Old Testament. Until you bow, like this woman has done, in humble adoration of Christ, then you are in jeopardy of hell.
When this woman referred to her “Master’s table,” she acknowledged a couple of things. “Lord, you say that it is not proper or logical to give the children’s food to dogs, and I agree.” “Truth, Lord. Yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master’s table.” This lady acknowledged Christ is her Master. She admitted that, in a very lowly way, she ate at Jehovah’s table. There are a lot of people who seem to think that they deserve to dine at the head of that table, sitting right next to the Creator – the King. But this lady suggested she was not worthy even to sit at this table. My point – at this point – is not her position, but the Lord’s position – every table is His table.
But this brings us to the estimation that she had of herself in the light of Christ.
She didn’t argue the fact that she was nothing but a Gentile dog. She didn’t argue the point, “And she said, Truth, Lord.” Look at her humility, especially in the light of all the pride that we see in the world today. Everyone seems to think that they are worthy of the Lord’s blessings, but this woman knew better.
On a whim I decided to investigate the word “dog,” and I discovered a little curiosity. I don’t know if it means anything significant or not, but I thought that I’d share it with you anyway. There are two words translated “dog” in the New Testament, and they are used only nine times. One word is used in a very negative, derogatory sort of way – almost like the racial slurs which worldly people use today. I say “almost” because even the Lord Jesus uses this word, so despite its negativity it is not sinful. Christ told His disciples, “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.” Strong says that the word “dog” means exactly what it says – a canine, a semi-domesticated wolf. But he goes on to say that it is used metaphorically of an evil, impure, impudent person. It means “canine,” “dog,” “cur” – in the way that “swine” is often used negatively of a pig. The apostles say, “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.” “The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” Remember last week, when speaking of Heaven, I said, “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” The context goes on to say that outside Heaven “are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” To be a “dog” in either testament is not a good thing – it is to be unclean, defiled, unredeemed – lost.
But there is a different word used in the conversation between Jesus Christ and this woman. It is still the word “dog,” but it speaks more of a humble creature rather than a wicked one. “But (Christ) 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.” The Jews spoke about every other race of people – the Romans, the Greeks, the Canaanites, as “dogs.” Perhaps they pushed some Old Testament statements too far, but there is Biblical foundation for the idea. And there are scriptures like Deuteronomy 23:18 – “Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the LORD thy God.” This woman was not above looking at herself in the most humble of fashions. She was a Canaanite “dog” – she was an unworthy Gentile – a Syrian – an enemy. But she believed that Christ was not like the bigoted Jews of Jerusalem, calling her a “cur.” And He proved it by using the less offensive of the two words.
Despite this difference, unless we are willing to look at ourselves as the dogs, swine and spiritual worms which our sins and our depravity have made us, then we can never hope for a blessing from the Lord. This woman had the right opinion of Christ. And she had a proper opinion of herself. But these two things are not enough.
What really makes her stand out from the crowd is her great faith.
We read a few minutes ago from Romans 12 – one of the many great chapters from the Book of Romans. Verse 1 says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Then verse 3 says, “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” I acknowledge that chapter 12 begins the practical, Christian half of the Book of Romans. But the implication of verse 3 is universally true. One of the standard that God uses, and what should be our standard of personal worth is our faith.
On three occasions Christ Jesus spoke of “great faith,” and surprisingly all three cases involved foreigners. About another man, Jesus said, “I have not seen so great faith, no not in Israel.” And here He said, “O woman, great is thy faith.” Where did she get this great faith? As Romans 12:3 says, “God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” Paul says, “For by grace are ye saved by faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.” Faith is a gift of God measured out to every believer. Throughout the Scriptures we see God encouraging men to exercise and utilize their faith. Like our brains, I would guess that the average Christian doesn’t use even 10% of the faith potential that the Lord has measured out to us. What we see Jesus doing with this woman is drawing out her faith. Her great faith is seen in her crying unto him, saying “Have mercy upon me” despite the arguments against her. As I’ve said, judging from her background, that she had faith at all is miraculous.
Her faith was persevering, despite the strongest opposition. The opposition to which I refer comes from the Lord Jesus Himself. If our Saviour had physically pushed her away, or ordered his disciples to keep her away, it might have been less painful than this. But initially, the Lord responded to her plea with silence – He completely ignored her. Was this more cruel than the disciples who said, “send her away”? I think that it was because the disciples were sort of on her side. Hinted here is the idea that they wanted Jesus to grant her request and send her away so that they could get back to their afternoon nap. They might have been thinking selfishly and even wickedly, but it appears to be more kind than the Saviour.
Do you read of the Saviour’s words here and actions and think less of Him? Please don’t, because you misunderstand what the Lord was doing. Do you remember that day when Christ selected one crippled man at the Pool of Bethesda and asked him if he wanted to be healed? What was Jesus’ purpose in asking that question? Of course, he wanted to be healed. The question was designed to bring out that man’s faith; to test and stretch it. When the woman with the issue of blood crept up behind him and touched the hem of His garment – Why did he say, “Who touched me?” I believe that He knew exactly who touched Him. He asked the question, because the woman was trying to stay hidden behind her tiny faith. The question was asked to expose and strengthen that faith. Our Saviour did that sort of thing quite often..
This silence, and then His apparent rebuke, did exactly the same thing on this occasion. It was designed to stretch the faith of this woman. It encouraged her to plead more forcefully and trustingly. It also laid bare what might have been the native bigotry of His disciples. It proved to the others that there were elect even among the “dogs.” And it opened the door for the disciples to spit on this Gentile dog before Jesus demonstrated that there is no difference between Jew and Greek as far as the God who is rich in grace is concerned. What Jesus said and did is not shameful or embarrassing, but infinitely wise. It has lessons for the disciples and for this mother who was not from Israel. And the lady’s faith persevered through it all; it was great faith.
She displayed a reasoning, thinking faith. Christ said, “It is not appropriate to take the children’s bread and cast it to dogs.” Will that make this woman back away and give up the fight for her daughter? This exceptional woman grasped Christ’s words like a sword and wrenched it from his hands. “True Lord, it is not appropriate to take the children’s bread to feed to curs on the street. But, as you suggesting, it is appropriate for the children’s puppies to pick up the crumbs which fall from the Master’s table.” Again, what did her faith claim? She acknowledge that she was not worthy of the least of God’s blessings. But by faith she knew that the Lord is merciful and full of compassion.
When her faith could not be thwarted, Christ granted her request – as He had intended to do from the beginning. I believe that her faith was maintained by the Lord who first gave it, and then seemed to ignore it. Oh, what a blessing there is in that.
And what is the point to all of this?
If you are a hell-bound and wretched Canaanite, Philistine, Canadian or even a Jew… The Lord will not turn you away if you come to Him in humble repentance and faith. It was this same Christ who said, “Come unto me ALL ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” As many as receive him, to them gives He power to become the children of God. Is sin your particular demon possession this morning? Come to the Messiah, the Son of David.
If you are a Christian who is suffering today, it doesn’t matter what might be the earthly cause, this same Saviour is “rich unto all that call upon Him” in faith. It may appear that He has turned His back and is not listening to you at the moment. But the purpose is not to deny your need, but to bring you to greater surrender and faith. Don’t stop your pleading, but ask him for more grace and faith.
Whatever your need is this morning, the answer is the same – repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.