Ask anyway

Matthew 15: 21-28 ESV

And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And he answered, “It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

Tyre and Sidon were Gentile cities north of Israel. It is but ordinary for Jesus to meet someone from a non-Jewish background. The Canaanite (non-Jewish pagan*) woman seeing Jesus, seized the opportunity to ask deliverance for her daughter. It wasn't like in other encounters where Jesus responded instantly to the request for initially, he was silent. The woman needed to reason with Jesus repeatedly before her request was granted. This showed how the mercy of God operates on those who display true and persistent faith in Him.

"It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.”

Jesus withdrawing to Tyre and Sidon, was not a coincidence. This response was not in any way to bring insult to the woman. Gentiles in Jesus' time were sometimes referred to as dogs, (in ancient Palestine were wild homeless scavengers*). Here she was referred to as "little dog" (Gk. kynarion), suggesting a more affectionate term for domestic pets*. Non-jews are considered unspiritual and their presence is believed to make them ceremonially unclean (John 18:28). Jews are allowed inside a Gentile courtyard open to the sky, but could not go into a Gentile home with a roof on it without becoming ceremonially unclean*.

At that time, His duty was to meet the spiritual needs of the Israelites, thus they were the focus of His ministry. Yet, we know Jesus did not live and die only for their salvation, it was later revealed that His coming was for all, Jews and Gentiles.

The woman's faith teaches principles we can apply as we approach God through prayer.

We can boldly come to Jesus

Being a Canaanite did not intimidate her from approaching Jesus. She had a need and she knew who could help her. Who we are and what we have done should not cause us to fall back. Jesus is the only One willing and able to help us in our time of need. The woman believed in Him and because she demonstrated courage and faith, her prayers were answered. "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:7 ESV).

We can be persistent in prayer even in His silence

Silence does not mean we are being ignored or abandoned. It's an opportunity to listen to God, wait on Him, and cultivate trust in our hearts. Problems can present themselves with a sense of urgency. This can build pressure on us tempting us to act foolishly. The women made a sound move by waiting on Jesus. Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame,  they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. (Psalm 25:3 ESV)

We can persist in opposition

Some prayers are left unanswered because they are from our selfish pursuits. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions (James 4:3). We can know if the requests are from God as we pray for His purpose and desire to fill our hearts. Opposition can spring from the inside - feelings of unworthiness, insecurity, and doubts. From the outside, it can come from people - even from a circle of believers. Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men (Matthew 16: 23). Satan tried stopping Jesus’ plan through Peter. He resisted the idea of Him suffering, focusing on the things of man and not of God. If we are confident that our desires are aligned with the heart of God, we should never stop coming to Him for it in prayer.

We must be ready to reason

The Canaanite woman, though from a different background and culture, did not allow her social status to limit her faith. Many times we are faced with the need to discuss our concerns with God and to openly talk to Him. We can come to Him with His Word, not in a posture of pride or to exact, but in humility, laying down our requests. When Sodom and Gomorrah were to be destroyed, Abraham remembered his nephew Lot. He interceded with persistence for the righteous before God, saving Lot and his two daughters (Gen 18: 22-33).

Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool (Isaiah 1:18). With reverence we can present our prayers to God. We are urged to consider our thoughts and come to Him with an open heart, knowing He is always attentive to what we have to say. There is no discrimination with Jesus. He will not drive us away. We no longer have to live on the crumbs that fall from the table because we are now part of the family of God through Jesus, our Lord and Savior. The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him (Romans 8:16-17 ESV)

Reflection

How do you teach your heart faith and patience as you wait for God to answer?

How do you ensure that your requests are in agreement with God's will?

Source*

ESV Study Bible

In grace & mercy