[Matthew 15:21 ESV] And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon.
Earlier when Jesus sent out his disciples in chapter 10, he instructed them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."
Why then did Jesus go to the district of Tyre and Sidon?
[Matthew 15:22 ESV] 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.”
The Canaanite woman came out to Jesus and was crying for mercy. She cried out, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” She was desperate in her plea for mercy on her and her daughter who was severely oppressed by a demon.
Initially Jesus did not answer her a word. It was as if he ignored her. But she persisted and annoyed his disciples so much that they in turn asked Jesus to appease the woman, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.”
[Matthew 15:24 ESV] He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
What the Lord said was a clear rejection. He told her that she was not qualified for his mercy because she was not a lost sheep of the house of Israel. What Jesus said was the doctrine of the election!
If I were her, I might have been offended by this. I would have cried out, "It's not fair!"
What did the Cannanite woman do?
[Matthew 15:25 ESV] But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.”
She didn't have time to debate about the fairness of the doctrine of the election. She was too desperate to argue with the Lord. She came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.”
Then she heard another rejection.
[Matthew 15:26 ESV] And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”
How insulting! So debasing! How could Jesus call me as a dog? Those might be my reactions. However she was different. She had faith in the merciful and loving Lord.
[Matthew 15:27 ESV] She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”
She admitted that she didn't deserve the mercy. Yet she believed that God would not drive the undeserving sinners away.
[Matthew 15:28 ESV] Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
[Isaiah 42:3 ESV] a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.
May I come and kneel before the Lord, crying out, “Lord, help me.”
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