pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: Canaanite


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Faith and Persistence

Reading: Matthew 15:21-28

Matthew 15:25 – “But she knelt before him and said, ‘Lord, help me.'”

Photo credit: Ben White

After clashing with the religious leaders, as our passage continues in Matthew 15, Jesus travels to the region of Tyre and Sidon. This is in Phoenicia, along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Jesus is west of Mount Hermon, a site in Psalm 133. Given the way Jesus initially interacts with the woman, perhaps this trip was intended for some time set apart. But even outside of Israel, Jesus’ reputation proceeds him.

A Canaanite woman from this area shouts out to the “Son of David,” seeking mercy. Her daughter is possessed by a demon. The title she uses for Jesus is a traditional Jewish confession of faith. Jesus is silent. She persists. The disciples want Jesus to address her – so that he can send her away. Maybe directed to the disciples, but certainly loud enough for the woman to hear, Jesus declares that he was sent “only to the lost sheep” – to Israel. Remaining persistent, she kneels right in front of Jesus. From this position of humility, she pleads, “Lord, help me.”

Insulting and/or testing her faith and persistence, Jesus says, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” Acknowledging the insult – “Yes, Lord” – she persists: “But even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” She acknowledges Jesus as “master,” as her Lord. Because of her great faith and persistence, Jesus is moved and he heals her daughter from afar. May we have such great faith and may we be so persistent with our trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord God, you alone are Lord. You alone have the power to meet all of our needs. To you alone may we turn. To you alone may we look to be our all in all. Amen.


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Thorns…

Readings: Joshua 12, Joshua 13, Joshua 14, Joshua 15, Joshua 16, Joshua 17

Joshua 16:10 – “But they didn’t remove the…”

Our reading today begins with a summary of the kings defeated by Moses and by Joshua. Moses’ efforts have a lot more detail. This follows the pattern found in Deuteronomy. Joshua’s efforts are simply a list of 31 names. In chapter 13 we learn that Joshua is old and “much of the land remains to be taken over.” There are many pockets of Canaanite tribes remaining here and there. The land east of the Jordan is then allocated to the tribes of Reuben and Gad and to half of the tribe of Manasseh.

Chapter 14 begins the process of assigning land west of the Jordan. Joshua, Eleazar, and tribal leaders assign a “legacy” to the remaining 9 1/2 tribes by lot. Caleb comes forward and requests the land that Moses promised him 45 years ago. Zelophehad’s daughters are later given a legacy, fulfilling another of Moses’ promises.

Judah, Ephraim, and the other half tribe of Manasseh are assigned legacies, determined by lot. It is interesting that Judah’s legacy is thoroughly detailed – it includes the names of 94 individual cities. Ephraim and Manasseh’s legacies are briefly described. No cities are even mentioned. At the end of chapter 17, Ephraim and Manasseh question the size of their inheritance. Permission is granted to expand by clearing forest, claiming more land for themselves.

Again and again in today’s readings we come across some version of “But they didn’t remove the…” Israel allows many Canaanite tribes to live amongst them in the Promised Land. These will become “thorns in your side” (Numbers 33:55.) When we too leave footholds in our hearts for the things of this world, they can and often do become thorns in our lives.

Prayer: Lord God, we see continued order and purpose as you allocate legacies or inheritances to Israel. You still lead and guide us in these ways of order and purpose. We also see little disobediences today – things that will lead to trouble for Israel. Help us to see these dangers in our lives too. Lead and guide and empower us in the conquest of these potential traps and dangers. Amen.


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Steadfast and Resilient

Reading: Matthew 15:21-28

Verse 22: “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Photo credit: Rainier Ridao

Returning to Matthew’s gospel today we move from ‘clean and unclean’ to Jesus’ encounter with the Canaanite woman. She comes to Jesus seeking healing for her daughter. She is demon-possessed. The clean/unclean conversation centered on the condition of our hearts over and above the keeping of the traditions and the Law. In the culture of the day, we must recognize that a devout Jew would avoid engaging with a Gentile, especially with a woman.

This woman comes to Jesus and says, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me!” She is acknowledging his power and his lineage. She is acknowledging his ability to do what she asks of him. She is so desperate for this ability to focus on her daughter that she ignores tradition and approaches Jesus. And Jesus ignores her. But she persists – enough that the disciples finally ask Jesus to send her away. They do not ask him to hear or to grant her request – just send her away. Jesus takes two runs at doing just that. Or is Jesus using this encounter as a way to show his disciples and others what a heart filled with faith looks like and can ultimately yield?

Pushing past these barriers and remaining steadfast in her faith in Jesus, she kneels at his feet and eventually receives praise from Jesus for her great faith. Her daughter is healed “that very hour.” This story is a great reminder to keep our faith strong no matter the barriers or obstacles we face, trusting in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As we are steadfast and resilient in our faith, we too will experience Jesus’ power.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the Canaanite woman’s example of great faith. Thank you for her example of brave faith too – a faith that overcame and triumphed. In those times when we feel things are against us, help us to remain faithful and true to you and to our faith. Amen.