Sunday Morning Service

Matthew 15:21-39 (Click title for audio access)

"Jesus And The Gentiles" • 10.17.10 • Calvary Christian Fellowship, Sunday Morning Service

Intro.

- There are a few things happening in the gospel of Matthew that I would take a moment to remind you of. Jesus set the tone with His kingdom parables in chapter 13.

- Of particular importance was the Parable of the Sower, which emphasized the response of people toward the message of the Kingdom.

- Coming into chapter 14 and 15, there is a distinct measuring of the different responses that Christ received, most of which were excited, shallow ground, responses.

- At the same time, you'll note that the Lord's disciples play a more pronounced part, as their response toward Christ is maturing. Jesus is testing them more in each passage.

- This brings us to our section today, which will deviate from Jewish response to Christ. This section provides us with the Gentile response to Christ and His response to them.

Text

• Matthew 15:21,22 : "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.'" : The disciples have spent a great deal of time in the Galilee region. They are now being led to this region of Tyre and Sidon.

- Most commentators hold that this foray into Gentile land was intended for rest and specialized training of the disciples.

- This would likely have taken place around the beginning of year two of the Lord's ministry.

- This is the only time that Jesus leaves the land of Israel and from the indication of scripture, Jesus came only to meet with one person in that region.

- Tyre and Sidon, modern day Lebanon, is located northwest of the Galilee, near the Mediteranean sea. In Christ’s time, these were wealthy Roman port cities, Gentile in population.

- Many people from the region of Tyre and Sidon had visited the Galilee. This woman who recognized Jesus, had likely seen Him in action.

- Note a few things about this woman. First, she is a Canaanite. Matthew points this out to contrast what comes next. Second, she has an accurate view of herself and of the Lord.

- She recognizes that she needs His mercy. If something is going to happen for her, it's going to be a result of His mercy toward her.

- Today, that is just as true. People who come to Christ must first understand that they are at His mercy. Thankfully, God is a God of mercy.

- She has an accurate view of herself and an accurate view of Jesus. She calls Him Lord and Son of David.

- I like the definition provided by BLB of "Lord": "he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding." Jesus has the power to decide to help!

- When she says "Son of David," you get the hint that she is aware of the prophecies given to her Semitic cousins.

- She is using the title significant to the promises given to King David, who would have a ruler sit on the throne perpetually, for eternity! This would be Israel’s Messiah.

- She is not a believer, though such terminology would give the impression that she has a better idea of who Jesus is than many of His own nation!

- She is speaking this way believing that these are the magic words to affecting Christ.

- The final thing that we notice about her for the moment is her desperatation.

- She is coming to Jesus on behalf of her daughter, who she claims is severely demon possessed. The NIV gives the best rendering: "My daughter is suffering terribly from demon‑possession." A mother's heart is crying out to Jesus for help with her daughter

• Matthew 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.' But He answered and said, 'I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.'" : In this desperate moment, Jesus decides not to answer her. We are stunned to hear such a thing. This seems out of character for Christ, as we have seen Him readily attend to all.

- Using titles and language that mean nothing to you, means nothing to Christ! There are no formulas, actions, postures or set phrases that catch Christ's attention.

- When she could not get Jesus attention, she turned her attention to the disciples. They are now caught between the Lord and this woman.

- She refuses to be ignored. She is loud and looking for any "in" possible.

- Exasperated, the disciples beg Jesus, "At least send her away so that we don't have to hear her cries!" Lord, just deal with this person so we don't have to!

- Their attitude toward her was less than compassionate. It was dismissive. The disciples at this time are not what they will be later in history.

- Jesus reminds them of His mission: He was sent by God the Father to gather the sheep that were lost. As the great Shepherd, He had been tasked to seek them out.

- This was true. Jesus HAD indeed come, primarily for the people of Israel. He came to reveal Himself as their Messiah, their Redeemer, the culmination of God's program.

- But there is a hint of sarcasm in these words. Jesus said this loud enough for the woman to hear. He is testing her resolve. Notice her actions:

• Matthew 15:25-27 : "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.'" : After hearing His dismissive words, recognizing that she was not a candidate, she came and worshiped Him anyway!

- Gone are the formal words and the claim to titles. This prayer is much closer to the heart.

- Her desperation brought her to this point: "Lord, help me!" Her cry was filled with anguish.

- It was not her malady, but she was so desperate, she asked Him to help her!

- She had persisted through every barricade and now, Christ's answers. The Lord hears and responds to this kind of prayer.

- His answer is certainly not what we would expect. "It's not good to give the bread to dogs!"

- You might be surprised to learn that there are no native curse words in Hebrew.

- If they want to curse, they have to borrow from US! The extent of their cursing came from their derisive use of the word "dogs." Those from Gentile nations were often called dogs.

- Dogs were not domesticated in Christ's time. They were dangerous. Now, Jesus here uses a different word which would be less offensive. He was calling her a gentile little puppy!

- What He to give was precious and not for her! He came to feed the people of Israel.

- Her response is classic: I don't want the bread. I'll just take the crumbs from your table! In essence, she is saying, "I'm not worthy of what comes from you, but I'll take what I can!"

- Even the crumbs would be sufficient because they are crumbs from the Master's table!

- She knew that just a little bit from Him, the least bit, would be sufficient for her trial.

- Many have expressed this same sentiment in scripture, asking the least of Jesus, knowing that it would be enough for them. This woman was just like that.

• Matthew 15:28 : "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." : Jesus said to her words that we want to hear: Great is your faith! It was great in that it was focused entirely on Christ. It was great in that it persisted beyond discouragement.

- Interesting, but the only other person whose faith Christ commends is a Roman Centurion, another Gentile!

- How do we react when we "feel" as though Christ is not listening? How quickly are our prayers extinguished at the first sign of difficulty.

- This woman came to Christ and did not leave until Jesus said, "Let it be to you as you desire!" I wonder how many times we have given up, just before He has said "yes!"

- Faith is not faith when we see it. Faith is faith when we believe and have not seen! It is faith when we ask until we get an answer!

- In the case of this woman, the answer was "yes." Other times, God may say "no." The point isn't to manipulate or exploit God.

- The point is that He allows circumstances to be the ground where our faith in Him grows!

- Jesus, from that remote location, brought healing to this woman's daughter. He didn't have to go to her. He simply spoke a word.

- What happened here is an illustration of what a heart poured out before the Lord will accomplish. Jesus will not be moved by formulaic words which came from her lips.

- He will be moved by a persistent heart filled with faith.

˚ "The woman brought to Christ a gallant and an audacious love, a faith which gre until it worshipped at the feet of the divine, an indomitable persistence springing from an unconquerable hope, a cheerfulness which would not be dismayed. That is the approach which cannot help finding an to it's prayers."

William Barclay

• Matthew 15:29-31 : "Jesus departed from there, skirted the Sea of Galilee, and went up on the mountain and sat down there. Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus’ feet, and He healed them. So the multitude marveled when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel." : Matthew writes this with little detail, but the details he gives are significant.

- First, they are returning from Tyre and Sidon, which puts them on the north western side of the sea of Galilee. This is still Gentile territory.

- He has said that it is not right to give the bread to the dogs, but He is leaving quite a crumb trail for them to follow!

- Second, you'll notice that Jesus sat down to receive these Gentiles. This showed an acceptance, a willingness to teach and to touch.

- Multitudes came to Him, literally thousands upon thousands. They came with every complicated issue, with the most difficult cases. Those who could not walk, see or speak.

- The word "maimed" could better be translated "mutilated." Jesus manifested divine creative acts in giving new limbs to people during this time.

- These who were powerless to move and unable to help themselves, these same ones became the ones that Jesus touched and healed.

- Many were carried in, but those same people were able to walk out!

- The Messiah was there to heal every malady and every disease. These glorified the Lord. They added "weight" or value to His name for what Jesus had done for them.

- His healing power had been extended to these who were not of His own nation!

- He is sitting with Gentile dogs, healing them and demonstrating the same powers that His own people did not yet recognize.

• Matthew 15:32,33 : "Now Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, 'I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.' Then His disciples said to Him, 'Where could we get enough bread in the wilderness to fill such a great multitude?'" : Does any of this seem familiar to you!? "I could've sworn...?"

- A few days with this Gentile multitude of people and His compassion moves Him to provide for them to eat.

- In a moment of sheer incredulity, the disciples ask the only question that didn't need to be asked: "Where could we get enough bread!?"

- It's almost unfathomable that they could possibly have asked this question, but at the same time, it's truly not, on two accounts.

- Consider the context. These are Gentiles. Didn't He just say that there would be no bread for them!? I wonder if the disciples wondered if He WOULD do this for them!

- More importantly, Consider yourself. God has met each of you in some incredible circumstances. He has answered your prayers, met you in the midst of an emergency situation.

- You have seen Him miraculously deal with your situation and you think, "I'll never doubt again! I'll never be guilty of thinking that my circumstance is bigger than God's resource!"

- Then, some time elapses, you have a similar circumstance and you ask the one question that doesn't need to be asked: "Where am I going to get what I need!?"

- The disciples are just like you and I, prone to doubt that God could or would do it twice!

• Matthew 15:34-37 : "Jesus said to them, 'How many loaves do you have?' And they said, 'Seven, and a few little fish.' So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitude. So they all ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets full of the fragments that were left." : This time, there were 7 loaves and some small fish. He commanded them to sit down, just as He had the last time. Jesus loves order.

- He broke the bread and again gave the loaves to the disciples. The multitude was again satisfied and filled to the rim.

- Jesus has now given bread to the Gentiles! He began with crumbs and progressed to bread! And when He was done, there were again leftovers! 7 large baskets full!

- Earlier, the same word was translated for a basket with a small lid. This basket was exactly the opposite. This basket had a large mouth.

- It's the same type of basket that will be used to lower the Apostle Paul from a second story window in the book of Acts!

• Matthew 15:38,39 : "Now those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. And He sent away the multitude, got into the boat, and came to the region of Magdala." : This time, there were a few thousand less than the previous time of feasting.

- This is actually a point that proves the veracity of this story. Matthew, instead of reporting higher numbers, reports that this crowd was less than the last crowd.

- This crowd could have easily reached 12,000 people, including women and children.

- It's interesting that Jesus needed to send away the multitudes. There was such an attraction to Him and a desire to be near Him. It seems that they would have stayed with Him indefinitely.

- How much that is true of us! When you sense the presence of Christ with you, either in times of personal bible study or in times of worship corporately, you never want it to end!

- You want to remain there and bask in the glory of the Lord. But there is a time to move onto what has to happen next, which in this case was a trip down the river to Magdala.

- Magdala is on the western shore of the Galilee and her most famous citizen was a woman named Mary of Magdalene, who we'll discuss at a later time.

Conclusion

- The nations were more receptive to Jesus than His own nation. The beauty in this passage is how Jesus stood in stark contrast to His people, whose prejudice confined Gentiles to perdition!

- Jesus responded compassionately, healing and feeding them, just as He did for His people.

- But this is merely a taste, a shadow of things to come, when Jesus soon, would tear the doors off their hinges and call the nations to Himself.

- His death would soon bring an opportunity for a feast where both Jew and Gentile would sit together with Him, forever.