The Gospel of Matthew: Jesus & Offense

Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28

Intro: As we journey through Matthew, we sometimes hit "speed bumps" – texts that challenge our understanding of Jesus. Today's passage, where Jesus initially ignores and then insults a desperate Canaanite woman before healing her daughter, is one such text. Why this interaction? Don't just cruise past it; let's "pull over" and explore what this reveals about persistent faith and Jesus' surprising methods.

Key Points:

1. The Context: Jesus withdraws to the Gentile region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman (an outsider, historical enemy) desperately seeks deliverance for her demon-oppressed daughter, crying out, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David!"
2. The Hurdles: This desperate mother faces multiple obstacles: 
   • Jesus' Silence (v. 23a): Her initial cries are met with silence.
   • Disciples' Dismissal (v. 23b): They want Jesus to send her away because she's bothering them.
   • Jesus' Initial Refusal (v. 24): He states His primary mission is to "the lost sheep of Israel."
   • Jesus' Challenging Metaphor (v. 26): After she kneels and pleads "Lord, help me," He replies, "It's not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." (Interpreted by some as testing her faith or reflecting cultural views He aims to overcome).
3. The Woman's Great Faith (vv. 25, 27): Despite these significant hurdles ripe for offense, she persists. She humbles herself (kneeling), acknowledges His point but cleverly turns it ("Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs..."), refusing to give up or be offended. Her focus is solely on Jesus as the source of help, even if she only gets "crumbs."
4. Jesus' Commendation and Action (v. 28): Jesus recognizes and praises her remarkable persistence and humility: "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." Her daughter is healed instantly. Her faith overcame every barrier.
5. Application: God sometimes allows hurdles (silence, apparent rejection, difficult circumstances) not to push us away, but to draw out tenacious faith. Like this woman, we're called to push past offense, humble ourselves, and keep reaching for Jesus, trusting His goodness even when His methods are perplexing.

Conclusion: This encounter isn't primarily about Jesus being harsh, but about highlighting extraordinary faith born from desperation. The woman models a persistent, humble trust that refuses offense and overcomes significant obstacles to reach Jesus. God honors faith that won't let go, even if it feels like we're only reaching for crumbs from His table.

Call to Action: Are you facing hurdles in your faith? Feeling ignored, rejected, or offended by circumstances or even God's apparent silence? Don't turn away. Follow the example of the Canaanite woman: Humble yourself, refuse to let offense take root, and persistently cry out, "Lord, help me!" Trust that even the "crumbs" from the Master's table hold the power you need. Come to His communion table today, reaching out in faith for the feast He offers.

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The Gospel of Matthew: Jesus & Offense (Matthew 15:21-28)
with Travis & Tiffany Aicklen