Matthew: Healing in His PresenceSample

Interrupting Jesus

I'd like to set the stage on this story since it's a little different than most. Jesus and his disciples are away from the crowds and visiting a home in the region of Tyre and Sidon. Think of this as a bit of a getaway or retreat, having some time together away from ministry. The Gospel of Mark tells us more details about this event and that Jesus wanted to keep His presence a secret, but word got out quickly.

So again, think of yourself having a nice quiet dinner, and then some random lady comes inside the house you are visiting - uninvited. She will not give up. She ignores all the social cues that you are not accepting visitors. It seems rude that she's interrupting, and throwing herself at Jesus's feet, but she doesn't care. She's desperate! Her little daughter is being tormented by an evil spirit and needs to be spiritually healed. Topping it all off, this lady is a Canaanite woman (from Greece in Mark's account), so not even a Jew, making it even stranger that she would interrupt this gathering.

Jesus' disciples try to protect His alone time by trying to send her away, but she keeps persisting. Begging, pleading, interrupting, she will not give up until she has an audience with Jesus.

It was because of her great faith that Jesus healed her daughter that very hour. And let this be of encouragement to the parents that are praying for and interceding for your children who may be hurting, away from the Lord, or are not in communication with you right now. This lady came on behalf of her daughter, but nowhere do we see the daughter present with Jesus. The mom brought her petition to Jesus, demonstrated her faith in Him to heal, and then her daughter was healed. Some of you just need to be reminded to keep begging Jesus for that loved one of yours! Don't give up!

By the way, if you haven't listened to our discussions in the video clips at the top of each devotional page, you're missing out on some great context on each of the stories, especially this one! Check it out!

Questions:

1. What does this woman’s persistence reveal about the link between humility and bold faith?

2. How might our own social norms or sense of “politeness” sometimes get in the way of pursuing Jesus wholeheartedly?

3. When has God tested your faith in a way that first felt like rejection, but ultimately deepened your trust in Him?