Lessons in Faith Matthew 15 21 -39

Lessons in Faith Matthew 15: 21 -39

Syrophoenician Woman (vs. 21 -28) • When: After feeding 5000, walking on water, and confronting the false tradition of the Pharisees • Where: Tyre/Sidon, which was part Canaan (vs. 22), the land promised to Israel. – Joshua didn’t get rid of all Canaanites in Tyre/Sidon – The wickedness of these cities was frequently denounced by the prophets – They didn’t repent (Mt 11: 21) • Why: “I rather incline to think that … that this was a kind of a praeludium to the calling of the Gentiles”–Poole

Syrophoenician Woman (vs. 21 -28) • What: – Mk 7: 24, “[He] entered into an house, and would have no man know it; but he could not be hid. ” – A Syrophoenician [also called “Greek”] woman intercedes for her demon possessed daughter [Mark calls it an “unclean spirit”]. • Points of Interest: – A Gentile calling Jesus “Son of David” (Jewish title, from prophecies of 2 Sam 7: 12 -17 & fulfilled in Mt 1: 1, used 16 times) – Election of Israel (Mt 10: 5 -6, Rom 1: 16) • Gospel for all Gentiles (“ethnos”) in Mt 28: 19 – The children’s bread = Covenant Rights • Covenant of Healing (Ex 23: 25, 15: 26, Lk 13: 16) – Why the term “dog”? • A term of reproach (2 Sam 9: 8, Mt 7: 6, Php 3: 2, Rev 22: 15) • Perhaps Jesus was playing along with the mindset of His Jewish disciples, who had no compassion for her (vs. 23)? • Tested her faith AND demonstrated He is no respecter of men.

Syrophoenician Woman (vs. 21 -28) • 2 nd of 2 mentions of “Great Faith”: (Also Mt 8: 10) – Both cases – Intercessory & remote from the sick • 9 characteristics of the prayer of great faith – – – – – Humble – “Truth, Lord”, admitting she had no rights as a dog Fervent – “Let it be to you as you desire” (NKJV) Desperate – “Lord Help me” Rational – “be it unto thee even as thou wilt”, her will=His will Reverent – Called Him “Lord” multiple times Worshipful – “Then came she and worshipped him” Persistent – “She begged Him” (Mk 7: 26, ESV) Expectant – “the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall” Verbal – “For this saying … the devil is gone out” (Mk 7: 29)

Feeding the 4000 (vs. 29 -39) • When: After healing the woman’s daughter and passing through the Decapolis • Where: Back at the Sea of Galilee • Why: Continued to minister – Healed the “lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others (vs. 30) – “They glorified God”, for Christ fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecies (Isa 35: 5 -6) • What Occurred Next: – Jesus miraculously fed 4000 men + women and children

Feeding the 4000 (vs. 29 -39) • Points of Interest: – Jesus’ motive (as in 5 other cases in Matthew): “Compassion” (vs 32) – Short-term memory of the disciples: They doubted even though Jesus just fed 5000 (vs 33) • Application: Don’t Forget! – I remember: “I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. ” (2 Tim 4: 17) – Therefore: “ the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work” (2 Tim 4: 18) – I remember: “[Christ] delivered us from so great a death” (2 Cor 1: 10 a) – Therefore: “we trust that he will yet deliver us” (2 Cor 1: 10 b) – What has God done for you? How can that build your trust in Him for the situation you’re in?