Looking Steadfastly to Jesus

Looking Steadfastly to Jesus!

Dear Weekly Readers! May God grant you peace and joy throughout this week!

Today I want to take a look into the Holy Scriptures, especially pertaining to the woman whose daughter was grievously vexed with a devil. You can find this written in Matthew 15 beginning with verse 21.

We first see how Jesus departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. This shows us that Jesus was now ministering unto the Gentiles. This woman was not a Jew; she was actually a Syrophenician Woman. In this example, as well as many others in scriptures, Jesus was going to the “wrong” people. But Jesus makes no mistakes. I believe this was another one of what I call divine appointments. Jesus did nothing by accident, but rather He was there where people needed him!

Now this lady came and cried unto him saying, Have mercy on me. (Matt. 15:22b) What a simple petition. Are you like me when sometimes all I can do is cry to the Lord to have mercy on me? Sometimes the words do not come, just an urgent and desperate cry in our hearts, Lord, have mercy on me. That is what this lady was doing. She did not have long speeches planned; she did not have all the religiously proper words ready.

But Jesus answered her not a word. Notice that it does not say he did not hear her; he just did not answer. Do you feel sometimes that you do not get answers to your prayers? Do you sometimes think that Jesus did not hear you? Trust God’s Word; Jesus hears you!

Let us learn from this lady. Do not turn and run after approaching our Lord and not getting an answer. When met by silence, we sometimes become discouraged. This woman who was a mother of a girl possessed, did not quit, but rather asked again!

However, the disciples said to Jesus, Send her away. (Matt. 15:23b) She is bothering us; we know you are busy, Lord. We have things to do; we have important church work to do. Let us, in our time, make sure that we are not so busy with our lives, our church work, or anything else, that we forget to care about the distressed. Let us take time to care for the sick, the infirm, the widows, and the many other hurting people around us. Most especially, let us care for those that are in need of hearing the words of faith. Oh, that people in our day would repent and believe by faith that this same Jesus is their Savior!

Our Lord Jesus now says a hard statement, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.(Matt. 15:24b) He appears, according to our mind, to turn her away. How depressing this would be. But did this faithful woman and mother turn and leave? No, rather she came and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. (Matt. 15:25b)

Once more, Jesus spoke and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and cast it to dogs. (Matt.15:26b) Jews in those days referred to Gentiles as dogs. Again, this could have been so disappointing and discouraging. Still, this woman did not turn and run, but rather said, Truth, Lord. (Matt. 15:27b) You have spoken the Truth; yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from the table. (Matt. 15:27c)

In her simple way, in her earnest pleas, in her sincere faith, this woman kept asking of the only source that can help fallen mankind. The only source of hope and life! Let us remember this and do the same all the days of our life. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life! Whatever our problems are, let’s turn to Jesus!

Now Jesus, who knew right from the start what this woman’s heart was like, had heard from her mouth and heart all that he needed to hear. Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Jesus then answered her. O women, great is thy faith; be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. (Matt 15:28b)

Our loving and caring Lord Jesus spoke to a woman to whom, according to the Jews, the religious people of the day, one ought not to speak to. He found her need, listened, and in His time granted her request according to His will and in His way!

Let us continue to utter these same simple pleas: Have mercy on me, Lord, help me! Let us be beggars of God’s Grace, and in His time He will do as He will because He is our mighty, righteous, loving, and sovereign God!


May God bless your week! John Ruotsala