Mercy’s Crumbs
Matthew 15:21-28 NKJV
[21] 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.” [23] 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.” [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.” [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.
Desperate Faith
A mother who is courageous.
A mother that is fearless.
A mother that is willing to stand in the gap for her child regardless of the situation or the outcome.
A mother that is willing to put everything aside for the healing and the well being of her children.
Where, what or Who do you put your faith in?
The quick answer is Jesus for us that believe. But is He truly your first option or just a last resort?
This woman wasn’t part of the Jewish religion. She didn’t have the same customs.
But this woman had faith.
Not just faith but desperate faith.
God’s grace would not be complete if His Grace wasn’t offered to all, even to this gentile.
This shows remarkable and unexpected love from Jesus to this woman of Canaan.
If you looked into the Old Testament you would see that Israel and Canaan were enemies.
When we repent of our sins and confess Jesus Christ as Lord of all, He cannot be hidden, even to this gentile woman.
When the Regeneration of hearts begins there is no denial of His power.
Only the Lord God Almighty has the power, ability.
When Jesus Christ is received things change. Situations change, minds change, actions change but most importantly destinations change.
His Glory cannot be hidden!
Jesus can not be hidden even to this gentile woman!
This woman, even being looked down as a gentile unworthy to even be in the presence recognizes the power, mercy and love of Jesus.
She comes to Jesus and breaks through every traditional barrier that should prevent her from doing so.
When we have a true need for Jesus.
When there is an absolute necessity.
When we have no other option, many people will turn from their traditions to be healed by Christ.
Many will abandon their customs to touch the hem of His Garment.
Desperate Faith supersedes any man made law,traditions or rituals.
It will drive the poor sinner’s heart to be healed and aligned to its Creator!
Salvation, Restoration and a Resurrection of life becomes real. It becomes real when all other options have been exhausted.
She risks it all. She humbles herself before Christ knowing that she is not only unworthy but is not even considered to be worthy because she was a gentile woman.
This woman bowed down to the feet of Jesus.
She asks for mercy.
Where we would be without the mercy of God!
This Gentile understood who Jesus was.
This non believing Jew had more faith than most of all of Jerusalem!
This desperate Canaanite woman recognized Jesus for who He is—the Jewish Messiah!
She persisted.
Nothing mattered at that time!
Not her religion.
Traditions, rituals no longer mattered. Even being a gentile no longer kept her from the foot of Christ.
She doesn’t stop in her plead.
She continues on.
She moved forward.
She knew that this Son of David, the Messiah would heal.
The Lord does not answer her very quickly.
He listens and waits.
Sometimes the Lord is silent.
It is not that He isn’t listening to you.
It’s not that He wants you to beg.
Sometimes He tests your heart.
Before He answers your prayers sometimes He wants to know what your intentions truly are.
But she persisted.
Then Jesus breaks His silence and He answers her.
Harsh words from the Heart of Love and mercy!
Not the answer she wanted but it was the answer she got.
Matthew 15:26 NKJV
[26] But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”
We can come so desperately to the foot of Jesus and we pour everything out.
Our hurts, our pains, our sorrows…we tell Him our wants and needs.
We beg for forgiveness.
We plead for healing.
Sometimes He gives us an unexpected answer. He gives us an answer we don’t want to hear.
It wasn’t a denial of His help.
It wasn’t a denial of His mercy.
It was a delay.
She recognizes what Jesus is saying.
The Gentiles were supposed to be fed the Gospel after the Jews had a chance to accept it.
Rejected. Hurt. Lost. Disappointed. Still desperate. Still knowing that it is only The Son Of David had the cure.
Many people walk away from the faith because of unanswered prayers.
Many people will turn on Christ and turn against Him if it’s not the answer that they want. If it’s not the outcome we desire.
If we are to be followers of Jesus Christ then we accept His answer with joy and confidence, no matter what His answer is.
We stay at His feet and worship.
His answer should never change His Lordship over our lives. That doesn’t dimension His Kingship.
It doesn’t mean His love isn’t being poured out. It doesn’t take back His grace and it doesn’t cover up His mercy.
Sometimes the answer is NO!
Matthew 15:27
And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”
She doesn’t argue with Jesus about having a full meal. She is perfectly fine with leftovers.
The crumbs of God’s mercy are enough.
If the mercy of God only comes in crumbs that is sufficient.
Whatever the Lord gives be it an extraordinary, extravagant six course meal or the crumbs after it. If it comes from the Lords then it is enough!
Persistence never offends God.
He takes pleasure in it. It shows Him your devotion, your faith. It reveals the true manner of your heart. It shows your intentions. It will show Him your Humility and willingness to accept even an answer of no.
Matthew 15:28 NKJV
[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.
Show Him true faith. Expose the intentions of your heart.
When you reach for the crumbs of mercy be sure that what you pray is with the intention to align your needs to His will.
Persist in your prayers to the Throne of God, humble yourself at His feet.
He may be silent. He may not answer in your time. You may not get the answers you desire.
He still listens, He doesn’t deny, but He may delay.
Have persistent faith!
Worship Jesus Christ no matter what because even if it’s the crumbs of mercy you receive even that is enough heal and sustain you!
Pastor Ed
