Persistence (Matthew 15 - P37)

Jesus is on the way to the cross.  And He knows it.  He realizes that His time is short.  Therefore it is incredibly important that He prepare, not so much Himself, but His disciples for what is to come.  So, he leaves the familiar surroundings of Galilee and goes into Gentile territory.  He needs some time and space where He can be free of the crowds ... of the intense pushing and testing by the Pharisees.  I think He wanted some time with His disciples ... time away ... quiet ... no pressing crowds ... no critics.  However, His reputation has preceded Him ... even in Gentile territory.  Today, read

Matthew 15: 21 - 28

I wish I knew this woman's name.  I love her!  I am impressed by her.  Let's make a few observations ...

First, she was driven by love.  She had a mother's heart - and that is not limited by race or religion or culture or country.  Her little girl was suffering and it was breaking her heart.  Love drives us.  Often, love drives us to do things we would not ordinarily do.  Which of you has not stayed up all night "doing" for your child?  Feeding and holding the infant ... keeping cool compresses on a fevered forehead ... helping finish an assignment that was procrastinated and is now due ... sewing the "dream" dress or the bridal gown ... trying to catch a nap in an uncomfortable chair in a hospital room ... and on and on.  This particular mother's heart drove her to seek an audience with a Jewish rabbi.  She didn't know him.  She wasn't Jewish.  But she had heard about Him.  She heard He was in her territory ... so she sought Him out.

Second, she was willing to humiliate herself in her desperation for help.  There is no subtlety here.  We can surmise from the disciples' response that she was causing quite a scene ... making quite a nuisance of herself.  She set her own pride aside for the good of her child.  What are you willing to set your pride aside for?  Anything?  

Third, this lady was persistent!  She would not easily be turned away.  She reminds me of the words that the Apostle Paul used to describe love.  As he penned the elegant words to describe love in 1 Corinthians 13, he wrote:

[Love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Cor. 13:7)

Always ... it does not give up ... nor would our heroine.  

Luke tells a story that Jesus told about prayer in Luke 11: 5 - 8.  I see this woman in the story ...

"Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.'  And he answers from within, 'Do not bother me; the door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed;  I can't get up and give you anything.'  I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs."

Persistence.  Perseverance.  Are you needing a dose?  Take a lesson from our Canaanite role model!

Lastly, this lady is witty.  And Jesus responds.  The word Jesus uses for "dog" in this case is not the same word as is used for the street dogs that roamed the area.  It is not the same word that Jews used when they spoke about "Gentile dogs".  The woman would have known that word ... she would have heard it before describing her (and her daughter).  Jesus uses a different word when he speaks to her.  The word He chose is the one that was used to describe a family pet.  In spite of her desperate trouble, in spite of her dead-in-earnest mindset, she maintained a sense of wit and banter.  I think she smiled when she responded to Jesus ... and I think He smiled as well!  And I think He LOVED granting her request.  

When we think of women in the New Testament that are heroines ... this nameless woman from the region of Tyre and Sidon should be on this list.  She had GREAT FAITH.  I want to be like her ... I hope to meet her one day.  I want to know her name.