Adapted from She, Volume 1, p 57-58
Read: Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:25-26
This passage can often be misunderstood or taken out of context, so to help us not fall into this trap, I am starting off with some helpful commentary from bibleref.com:
In a further effort to withdraw from crowds, Jesus has withdrawn from Israel entirely. He has travelled into pagan Gentile territory east of Galilee. Even here, though, it seems He is known at least by some. This is somewhat ironic, as Jesus had earlier referred to this region of “Tyre and Sidon” in His criticism of Israel’s stubbornness (Matthew 11:20–24).
Here, a non-Israelite Canaanite woman comes to Him. She is crying, and she asks Jesus for mercy, addressing Him as Lord and Son of David. This woman’s reference indicates she knows something about Israel and Judaism. She tells Christ that her daughter is severely oppressed by a demon. His response seems confusing, at first, but proves to have an important lesson attached (Matthew 15:23, 28).
Demon oppression and possession were common around the known world of this era. The existence of demons was not debated. Too many people had seen a person oppressed by a demon to doubt it. Various symptoms of demon oppression witnessed in the New Testament include drastic personality change, refusal to wear clothes, supernatural strength, violent actions, illness, being mute or deaf, and intentional self-harm.
Bibleref.com/Matthew 15:22
I love the way the study guide outlines the woman’s actions:
- She cried unto the Lord…
- She was a mother and desperate for someone to help her daughter.
- She fell at His feet in humble desperation…
- She was a Canaanite, a gentile, yet she addresses Jesus as the “Son of David,” indicating that she knew He was the Messiah of Israel.
- She did not receive an answer immediately…
- Jesus seemingly pays no attention to her.
- She kept praying…
- His silence doesn’t deter her; if anything, it only makes her cry out all the more, so much so that Scripture says the disciples were bothered by her cries for help.
- It’s unclear if the disciples wanted Jesus to send her away without helping her. More likely, they wanted the Master to heal the woman’s child, so she’d go away and leave them alone (Luke 18:1–8).1
- His silence doesn’t deter her; if anything, it only makes her cry out all the more, so much so that Scripture says the disciples were bothered by her cries for help.
- She persistently prayed for her need…
- Whether it was desperation for her daughter or a deep faith in Jesus, or both ~ the waiting did not shake her faith!
- Perhaps it was because of the disciples concern over her annoyance, or maybe it was the persistence of the woman, whatever the reason – Jesus answers her, explaining: “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep ~ the people of Israel.” – When the woman persisted by worshiping Him and pleading again for His help, Jesus responds with words that would have, at the very least, been hurtful for the woman to hear, and often a portion of the passage that is “taken out of context, making it seem derogatory, or even hateful. It’s neither: Jesus has a purpose for this dialogue (Matthew 15:28).2”
- The suggested purpose by the commentator is that “Christ’s intent, apparently, was to test the woman’s commitment to her request, and her faith in Him.” Which, by their continued dialogue, we see is exactly what happened.
- Perhaps it was because of the disciples concern over her annoyance, or maybe it was the persistence of the woman, whatever the reason – Jesus answers her, explaining: “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep ~ the people of Israel.” – When the woman persisted by worshiping Him and pleading again for His help, Jesus responds with words that would have, at the very least, been hurtful for the woman to hear, and often a portion of the passage that is “taken out of context, making it seem derogatory, or even hateful. It’s neither: Jesus has a purpose for this dialogue (Matthew 15:28).2”
- Whether it was desperation for her daughter or a deep faith in Jesus, or both ~ the waiting did not shake her faith!
26 Jesus responded, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.” 28 “Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed.
Matthew 16:26-28
The final observation, and what I believe is one of the best takeaways of the study, cannot be said any better than this: “The Syrophenician Woman serves as an example of how we should be persistent in our faith.”
The Syrophenician Woman serves as an example of how we should be persistent in our faith.
She, volume 1/p58
Reflection/Application
- What are you persistently praying about? What could you or should you be persistently praying about?
- Consider this encouragement from Matthew 7:7
- Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.
- “Some commentators suggest these words imply a progression. It’s possible that ‘asking’ means making a request, ‘seeking’ implies persistence or fervor, and ‘knocking’ represents continued and ongoing persistence.” bibleref.com
- Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.
- Consider this encouragement from Matthew 7:7
Me From the Inside Out 