Simple Faith For Miracles
Canaanite Women Mathew 15:21-28 21Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.” 23Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” 24He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” 25The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. 26He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” 27“Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” 28Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment. This passage revolves around the encounter between Jesus and a Canaanite woman who sought His assistance to heal her daughter. At the outset, Jesus had declared His ministry was primarily for the Jewish people, the descendants of Abraham with whom God had established acovenant. However, this situation presented a unique context. During the time of Jesus, the Romans were ruling over the Jews and we can find the Greeks and the Canaanites living among them. Jesus went around the Jewish villages healing and delivering the Jewish people. A Canaanite woman approached Jesus, persistently seeking help for her daughter. Despite her persistence, Jesus initially appeared to ignore her. He responded by stating that He was sent solely for the lost sheep of Israel. This woman did not possess a belief in Jesus as God or teacher; she likely perceived Him as a mere magician or witch doctor based on her experience. Her knowledge did not encompass Jewish customs, salvation, discipleship, or Jesus’ divine nature, including His virgin birth. Her primary motivation was to secure healing for her daughter. She did not acknowledge Him as a Savior or redeemer; her sole focus was on His ability to perform miraculous healings. Jesus replied that He couldn’t give the children’s bread to the dogs, He seemingly referred to her as a dog. This was a challenging moment. Instead of taking offense, the woman responded by highlighting that even dogs could benefit from the crumbs that fell from the table. She viewed her daughter’s illness as a pressing issue and believed that Jesus was her only source of help. Despite Jesus’ initial reluctance and criticism, she remained steadfast in her pursuit of getting help for her daughter. She acknowledged her “outsider status’ but believed that even a small portion of the crumbs could bring healing to her daughter. Jesus marveled at her and responded by acknowledging her great faith, granting her request, and healing her daughter instantly. This faith was not rooted in an understanding of Jesus as God, the Messiah, a Prophet, or the means of salvation for sins leading to heaven. Instead, it was a straightforward belief in Jesus’ extraordinary power, authority, and the simple notion that if He uttered a word, her daughter would be restored to health. It was a simple faith. Often, within the church, we tend to overcomplicate matters, delving into theological discussions that can hinder people from receiving the deliverance and healing they seek. Some individuals become entangled in the web of complex doctrines, making it difficult for them to experience breakthroughs. This Canaanite woman serves as a powerful example of how faith can be uncomplicated yet immensely powerful. She didn’t know anything except that Jesus was powerful. She knew that only if she could convince Him to speak a word her daughter would be well. When Lazarus died, Jesus told Mary and Martha that He would raise him up. But Martha replied that they believed Lazarus would be raised on the last day. This response stemmed from her depth of knowledge to anticipate a resurrection on the final day. In contrast, the Canaanite woman’s faith was characterized by its simplicity. She was totally invested in the truth she knew. The Canaanite woman’s unwavering reliance on the simple truth she knew, even when Jesus referred to her as a “dog,” shows her remarkable faith. Insults and ego did not stop her. She had invested herself entirely in the belief that if Jesus could just say a word, her daughter would find freedom. Her story illustrates how her focus on a single truth propelled her to persist despite all obstacles. WOMAN WITH THE ISSUE OF BLOOD: Matthew 9: 18-22 18While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” 19Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples. 20Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” 22Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment. In a particular instance, Jesus was on His way to a specific location, surrounded by a large, bustling crowd. Amidst this throng, there was a woman who had suffered from an issue of blood for 12 years. She had expended considerable resources seeking healing from various doctors, all in vain. However, what set her apart was her expectations. This woman, possibly of Jewish descent, had heard about Jesus as the Messiah who went about performing miraculous healings and deliverances. Upon learning of Him, she was dreaming and pondering about Jesus in her mind that one day He would come to her village and she would receive her healing on that day by just touching His garment. She spent days meditating on this, investing her energy, emotions, and thoughts into this fervent desire. She wasn’t a disciple