Tested Faith is Rewarding

 TESTED FAITH IS REWARDING

Matthew 15:21-28

 

by: Pnt. Drs. Beltasar Pakpahan

 

“Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon.  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.’  But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, ‘Send her away, for she cries out after us.’  But He answered and said, ‘I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’  Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, ‘Lord, help me!’  But He answered and said, ‘It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.’  And she said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.’  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” (Matthew 15:21-28).

 

 

Introduction

After Jesus engaged in a heated dialogue with the Pharisees and Scribes, and then severely rebuked them as hypocrites (Matt. 15:1-20), He and His disciples withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. Tire and Sidon are on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea (Kamus Alkitab versi 1.3 (6), SABDA dan Tim Alkitab) and are not included in the territory of Israel. When Jesus and His disciples were in this area, a woman came to Jesus. We don't know what the woman's name was, because what was mentioned was only her nationality. She was a Canaanite woman (v. 22) who was a heathen to Israel.

Apart from the nationality issue, the status of this Canaanite woman did not count at all both socially and in terms of gender for the Jewish people. In Israel, there are groups of people whose status is considered low, namely women, people with disabilities/illnesses and gentiles. This Canaanite woman had all of those criteria. She is a woman, gentile, and has a daughter who is sick because she is possessed by a demon.

As a mother who fought for her daughter, this woman must have tried hard to do anything to cure her sick daughter. In fact, in Sidon there were many temples where the Canaanite gods were worshiped, the main temple of which was the temple of the god Esymun, the god of healing (Kamus Alkitab versi 1.3 (6), SABDA dan Tim Alkitab). But this Canaanite woman actually came to Jesus, not to their god. This means that he came to the right address with the right and firm hopes. He asked Jesus for mercy to heal his daughter who was suffering greatly.

 

Jesus Tests Faith

Because at first Jesus did not respond at all to the Canaanite woman, the disciples asked Jesus to send the woman away (v. 23). Her status as someone who doesn't count, coupled with this woman's impolite way of following Jesus' entourage by shouting, made the disciples dislike her. In Israel, let alone shouting, a woman is not even allowed to speak in public with the Rabbi.

Jesus finally answered the Canaanite woman's cry for help. However, the answer that Jesus gave actually seemed to confirm the woman's national status as gentile, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (v. 24). This shows clearly that as a Canaanite, this woman does not deserve the help of Jesus.

Because the Canaan woman did not want to give up and kept asking for help, Jesus then answered her with a subtle refusal in the form of a parable, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs” (v. 26). The word “dog” here is translated from the Greek word “kunarion” (Strong #2952) which means a puppy or little dog kept in the house. A good master will definitely provide a portion of food intended for his pet.

 

Tested Faith Brings Blessing

When Jesus answered that He had come only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (v. 24), with an unyielding attitude, the Canaanite woman approached and worshiped Jesus. The Greek word “proskuneo” (Strong #4352) which is translated “worship” is also used in Matthew 2:11 to describe how the Magi came and worshiped Jesus. A worship that comes from a very sincere heart. This woman worships Jesus and asks for help no longer for her daughter but for herself, “Lord, help me!” (v. 25).

Then Jesus gave a subtle answer in the form of a parable but stabbed by the metaphor of an animal, namely a dog (v. 26). This Canaanite woman's faith was not only unyielding but also willing to accept the risks of what she believed. This woman did not refute Jesus, for example by saying: “Lord, I am not a dog.” What came out of his mouth actually confirmed what Jesus said, “Yes, Lord” (v. 27). He realized his unworthiness as someone who did not count.

Jesus' answer which was appropriate for her unworthiness did not make the Canaan woman disappointed, give up, let alone back down and go home. Instead, she can follow and corroborate the direction of Jesus' argument by saying: “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table” (v. 27). This shows that this Canaanite woman believed that Jesus' love and goodness penetrated all boundaries. This means that God's universal love allows those who are outside the boundaries of social status and nationality to receive God's blessings.

A pagan woman received praise from Jesus for her firm faith and directed it to the right address. In contrast to the Pharisees and Scribes - students of the Jewish religion - whom Jesus repeatedly criticized. The Canaanite woman reaped the fruit of her faith; her daughter was healed immediately (v. 28). So, a person who doesn't even count in human eyes will receive blessings from God as long as he comes with humble faith to admit his unworthiness before God.

 

Reflection

This Canaanite woman's faith is an example for us Christians that faith is not just confessing with our mouths that we believe in Jesus. Faith that brings blessings is an active faith, one that never gives up even when faced with trials, one that continues to move forward despite disappointing realities, one that perseveres in prayer and hope in Jesus.