Matthew 15:21-28
Mat 15:21-22 Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. (22) And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.”
I find it interesting that this gentile woman from a region of Tyre (Lebanon today) knew that HE was the SON OF DAVID, a title of the coming Messiah! Yet HIS own people of Nazareth referred to HIM as the carpenter’s son!
Mat 13:55-56 Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? (56) And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?”
Mat 15:23-24
But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.” (24) But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
Most likely HIS disciples were asking HIM to give her what she is asking so she can leave, that is why HE responded “I WAS NOT SENT EXCEPT TO THE LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL”.
She wasn’t thrown off by what seemed like his lack of interest, But was more determined to get HIS attention.
As Augustine says, ‘The Word spoke not a word,’ and that was so unlike him. He who was always so ready with responses to the cry of grief had no response for her.” (Spurgeon)
Mat 15:25-27
(25) Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” (26) But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” (27) And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”
“This wasn’t Jesus being harsh with the woman, nor was it a matter of Him only helping His own people—after all, He also healed the Roman centurion’s servant when he pleaded for his servant (Mat 8:5)”. What seemed cold and callous was actually wisdom from above, JESUS knew something about her and used this method to draw out her faith. She didn’t argue or get offended, but actually agreed with HIM. All she wanted was a little crumb of the blessings that was promised to HIS people Israel that most rejected!
Mat 15:28
(28) Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
This woman is a great example for us on how to intercede for others. She didn’t say, heal my daughter, but have mercy on me verse 22, and help me in verse 25. Obviously, she was tormented seeing her daughter being tormented! Just like it hurt the centurion seeing his servant suffer was also being tormented himself, because of their love for them! JESUS said
Joh 13:35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
When our brothers/sisters are hurting, it should also affect us, and we must earnestly pray for them, and not be deterred if we don’t get a response! HE knows what HE is doing, and HE wants us to get involved!