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For I know the plans I have for you,declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer 29:11 |
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Dear
Friend,
If you do not already have a habit of gathering daily manna the first thing in the morning (we can look at the example given to us in Exodus 16 and find the pattern for make it a habit. Establish your life and your schedule to allow you the necessary time to do your daily collection first thing every morning to give you the strength to make it through the day. And remember that today’s manna will not be sufficient for tomorrow; tomorrow’s manna must be collected tomorrow morning. Tuesday, May 10, 2022
Today's Passage : Today's Passage :The Faith of a Canaanite Woman Bible Verse:Matthew 15:21-28 (ESV) "And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And he answered, “It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that hour. " Message:
In today’s Scripture, Christ travels across a national border into Phoenicia, part of the Roman colony of Syria. Tyre and Sidon are ancient cities which, although they lay in the land promised to Abraham and Moses, were never really conquered by the Hebrews. In the day of Joshua, Tyre (but not Sidon) was allotted to the Tribe of Asher (map), but it was not held. Both cities became the land of the powerful, sea-trading Phoenicians. Even the great Empire of Israel under David and Solomon ended south of Tyre (map).
What, we may fairly wonder, was Jesus doing traveling outside Israel? For Sidon and Tyre were synonymous with idolatry and fornication (see Matthew 11:20-24); they were not only heathen, the land of the Hebrews’ dearest enemies (the Canaanites), but also ports filled with sailors, which have been dens of iniquity since time immemorial.
The Bible does not tell us “why”, but two motives seem reasonable. First, Christ is coming near the end of his ministry and has entered the phase when He will prepare for the crucifixion. He seeks a short time of solitude and quiet. He is safer in Phoenicia, away from the hand of the Herods, the Pharisees and scribes; and He is also insulated from the hoards of Jews who now follow him wherever he goes in Galilee and Judea.
But, perhaps a more important reason is that He has one more thing to accomplish in his ministry: A token to prove to the disciples that his grace will extend to the Gentiles. For this was the only time He ever ventured outside the land of the Jews (other than the flight to Egypt as an infant).
Jesus from illuminated Bible
Most theologians will credit Christ with foreknowledge of the events told in today’s passage. If so (and it makes perfect sense), his treatment of the woman is a bit of theater. When He says, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel,” He is playing devil’s advocate. Indeed, it would be hard to think He was sincere, as the sentiment would contradict both his own words and the great body of prophecy, e.g., that He would be “a light to lighten the Gentiles.” (Luke 2:32) Also, see Psalm 117, above.
The key to the woman’s approach is when she kneels before Christ and calls him simply Kyrie, “Lord”. A request to a great man had to be turned into a prayer to the Living God.
When Christ makes the remark about giving the children’s food to dogs, it is not quite as harsh as it sounds to us, because the word He uses refers specifically to household pets. He might be teasing her a bit; one could reasonably imagine a slight smile in his tone. Or, if not, He is requiring her to show persistence or steadfastness, which is so often recommended to us in various epistles (e.g. Colossians 1:23).
Meditation : Prayer : The blessing of the Lord rest and remain upon all his people, in every land, of every tongue; the Lord meet in mercy all that seek him; the Lord comfort all who suffer and mourn; the Lord hasten his coming, and give us, his people, the blessing of peace, this day and always.......Amen |
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