The Heart of a Mother, the Power of a Savior
Matthew 15:21-28

A mother is moved for a CHILD
While Jesus spent the majority of his time and effort reaching the Jewish nation, he also loved all people, and on one occasion he went north to the Gentile region of Tyre and Sidon (John 3:16). There, he met a woman who had a demonically possessed daughter. Although this Canaanite (‘pagan person of the land’) mother had religious options like the temple of Eshmun—a local Phoenician god of healing—she had heard about Jesus and his miracle-working ability. Emptiness with the world should lead to wanting to be filled by the divine! Though she isn’t a Jew, she submissively called him ‘Lord’ (Gr. kurios, ‘master’) and used the Messianic title ‘Son of David’ signifying Jesus as the king of Israel. A right view of God is the first step to a right life with God (John 14:6). After years of watching her daughter be physically and emotionally oppressed, she knows she is powerless to help her. She cries out for mercy knowing Jesus has power over the natural and supernatural realms. People reaching out to God find the hands of God already reaching out to them (Jer. 29:13; Matt. 7:7, 8; James 4:8)!

A Savior is moved for a MOTHER
Being initially silent to her cries, the disciples figure Jesus is ignoring her on purpose as she’s an annoying Gentile, so they beg him to send her away. But Jesus’ silence isn’t meant as disrespect, but as a diagnostic of her desire. So that people don’t view God as a genie-in-the-sky, God values consistence and persistence. The silence of God doesn’t equal the absence of God (Luke 18:1-8; Gal. 6:9; James 1:2-4)! In ancient Israel, wild, scavenging, feral dogs were common. And because of their unclean, undisciplined lifestyle, the Jews used this imagery to describe the Gentiles. Jesus plays off this stereotype of the ‘children’ (the Jews) getting their ‘bread’ (the attention of Jesus, the Jewish Messiah) given to the dogs (Gr. kunarion, ‘puppy/family pet’—the Gentiles) instead. Here, Jesus is not disregarding her anxiety, but rather dissecting her authenticity. Sometimes God tests our authenticity with His timing. With great humility and quick thinking, she notes even the family pet gets some of what the children get. Probably laughing at her wit, Jesus is so amazed he calls her faith ‘great’ (Gr. megas) and heals her daughter without seeing her! With great faith often comes great favor!