Matthew 15:21-28 (NRSVCE)
The Canaanite Woman’s Faith
“Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” But He did not answer her at all. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting 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.” He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food 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, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.”
While Jesus is fulfilling the prophecy on Ezekiel 34:12, to gather the scattered flock of Israel, the children of GOD, He met along on His way all kinds of people like the Canaanite woman. Jesus Christ knew that while it is not fair to throw grace to the people who were outside the promise of GOD, He needs to also bestow it to the people as His superabounding grace limit no one because the time has come that GOD has also to give His own Spirit to everyone. St. Paul declared in Romans 5:20, “ But law came in, with the result that the trespass multiplied; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.” Joel 2:29 also says, “ Even on the male and female slaves, in those days, I will pour out my spirit.” GOD knew that His superabounding grace of giving His own Spirit is at hand to those people who possess great faith.
After Jesus’ encounter with this Canaanite woman, His disciples had already witnessed about Jesus His healing power and driving out demons. Then Saints Peter, James, and John as well witnessed the amazing transfiguration of Jesus Christ. But despite this, His disciples cannot heal an epileptic boy who suffered a lot because the devil was in him. Thus Jesus drew their attention and affronted them in Matthew 17:17-20 saying, “You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him here to me.” And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”
It was astonishing that what moves God is our faith in HIM and without faith, it is impossible to please God. (Hebrews 11:6) The obstruction is not the devil but our doubt, worries, fear, and unbelief are the ones holding what GOD can do for us in our lives. Remember the leper in Matthew 8? The Leper moved Jesus just by declaring his faith in Jesus, he came to Him and knelt before Him, saying, “Lord, if you choose, You can make me clean.” He stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, “I do choose. Be made clean!” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
Faith moves GOD. When we say we ‘Amen’ declaring our beliefs in GOD, it gives HIM glory. GOD created us to give HIM glory, everything is for the glory of GOD, that is why HE is moved by faith because it gives HIM glory. And Jesus as the way to the Father will also be moved. Jesus said in John 14:1, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. For in Christ every one of God’s promises is a “Yes.” For this reason it is through Him that we say the “Amen,” to the glory of God. (2 Corinthians 1:20)
John 21:25 says, “ But there are also many other things that Jesus did; if every one of them were written down, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.” But time again will come, that Jesus will also ask us again the very same question He threw to the blind men in Matthew 9:28-30, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” Then He touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you.” And their eyes were opened.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, Today it is the same thing as it was two thousand years ago, we are journeying this world in such a little faith, that it takes us a hard and long time to move one small hill, but God wants to put a great faith in our lives for Him to move every hill and mountains in front of us. The problem is we do it on our own, we do not ask and trust the LORD to do it for us. We know that the biggest of our loads is just a feather to GOD. Why not ask GOD and believe in Him that HE can do it for us. What human cannot do, GOD can do. (Luke 18:27)
Put our trust in the LORD. He is true in every word He speaks. He said in John 14:13-14, “ I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.” So pray that He will increase our faith and make it great. AMEN
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