Today in Sunday School I taught the Matthew 15/Mark 7 account of the Canaanite/Syrophonean woman who had a demon-possessed daughter (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matt%2015:21-28&version=NIV). There are varied applications. Scripture never just teaches one lesson though its words, but for the sake of time – teachers often have to choose just one slant. The Lord impressed upon me the woman’s faith.
I ask myself often. What doe faith really look like? What does faith feel like? We know from Hebrews 11:6 that “without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him (NIV).” This woman, though a Canaanite, with no claim on the Jewish Messiah was told she had “great faith (Matt 15:28).”
As I prayed about how to apply this passage to my students the following points came out:
God is pleased when we come boldly before Him with our requests, unrelenting in the silence. There are many times that I feel like a nag. I come before the Lord in prayer, and I’m afraid He’s gonna say something like, “Oh great, here comes Jessica again with the SAME request… I wish she’s just get something new to talk with me about.” But that feeling on my part is not truth. We are commanded to bring our requests and anxieties before the Lord (Phil 4; I Peter 5:7). We see in Jesus’ ministry that He is pleased when people bring their requests. He doesn’t turn them away or say that they’re foolish for asking. That is, until we get to this miracle. This is the one passage where Jesus seems to have a disregard for someone’s request, but when studied deeper, we see that Jesus was teaching his disciples (and the early church made up of Hellenistic Jews and the Roman church of split ethnicity) important lessons about their ethnocentricity, gender bias, and FAITH. Jesus knew how the woman would respond, and He tested her in such a way that her faith (and quick wit) would shine for all eternity!
Which are we more afraid of: looking like a fool, or being someone of little faith? I commonly think of myself as one of little faith – so maybe I should concentrate on not looking like a fool. NOT. Faith is our belief system working itself out through actions. The Mark account of the story tells us that Jesus was in a house, kinda hiding out from the throngs of people who had been constantly swarming Him. Somehow, this Canaanite woman finds out where He is and comes begging that He heal her daughter. This woman, made a pretty big fool of herself. She bursts into someone else’s home, crashing a party of primarily men in a society of strict social codes – women didn’t talk to men. But these were not just any men, these were men of another race, and not just men of another race – this was a VERY popular teacher, with his select group of disciples, on a vacation of sorts. She was aware of all this as we can tell by the title she addresses Him by, “Lord, Son of David.” So, she arrives on the scene. Perhaps she was banging on windows or doors or walls until someone finally let her into the house. Whatever she’s doing – she’s making a scene, and the disciples are annoyed, and Jesus ignores her. At this point, I give up. I look like an idiot. I’ve asked for help, and I’ve been ignored. She continues until Jesus responds, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel… It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs (Matt 15:24, 26 NIV).” After being ignored, that sounds like flat out rejection. Yet, she still persists, though now humbly and wisely, “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table (Matt15:27 NIV).” I can just see Jesus smile as He replies, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted (Matt 15:18 NIV),” performing the only exorcism at a distance of His earthly ministry (every other time Jesus was present with the possessed person).
I ask myself (and you), when was the last time I looked like a fool for my faith? Does your faith spur you to actions that look foolish the eyes of the world and perhaps many other believers? I would argue – looking foolish is part of being faithful (Hebrews 11).
Faith isn’t always a feeling of peace or calmness, sometimes it FEELS like terror, pain, or longing that is gripping to the one thing that can save. When I hear the word “faith” the emotion that I presume to go with it is peace or calmness. Que Sera Sera. And sometimes that is what faith should feel like, but not today, not in this passage. Here we have a woman who is completely distraught crying out for mercy over the condition of her daughter – THAT IS FAITH. Not because of her emotional attitude, but because of WHO she is crying out to. She recognizes that Jesus has the answers she needs, so she takes her pain, her grief, her despair to Him, knowing that He could answer. He applauds, “Dear women, YOU have great faith!”
Our faith has to rest completely in Christ. Only He has the answers we seek. As I drove home from small groups tonight, I was still chewing on the application from the lesson this morning. How are we to bring our requests to the Lord, without becoming consumed with desire for the REQUEST? The answer lies in what we cling to. Am it clinging to my request, hoping He’ll intervene if I cry loud enough (picture a child sitting, holding a broken toy, screaming for it to be fixed – but the kid won’t let go). Or am I holding on to CHRIST – resting in Him for answers (picture holding onto His ankles, with the toy laying loose at his feet).
Only Christ has the answers. How often do I get tired of seeking, or just don’t believe He’ll answer, and decide that I’ll take care of my problem myself. I’ve prayed about this for (amount of time), and no answer* – maybe that’s my cue to handle the problem on my own after all “God helps those who help themselves**” right? Not so. God doesn’t give us a time limit in scripture for how long we are to bring out requests. We are simply commanded to bring them. If you are anxious, or concerned about something – you bring it to Him, period. You may bring it a billion times, fine, bring it on. Because in the end, we should find ourselves clinging to His feet in worship. “And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace (Helen Lemmel, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus).”
*NOTE: When God says, “NO” that is still an answer. It can be appealed, but should also be headed as an answer. I’m talking about the times when God is silent.
**NOTE: This is a quote from Benjamin Franklin. I’ve been told by a church goer that it is in the Bible. It is not, in fact, scripture teaches quite the opposite. God helps those who CANNOT help themselves.
