A CANAANITE WOMAN (MATTHEW 15:21-28; MARK 7:24-30)
Location of Miracle: In the region of Tyre and Sidon, far north on the eastern bank of the Mediterranean Sea
Set the Scene:
o The term “Canaanite” is associated with Old Testament pagan inhabitants of Palestine. This was a group displaced by the Jews. And this is a WOMAN!
o In her region, three miles northwest of Sidon, was a temple dedicated to Eshmun, a god of healing. However, the Canaanite woman seeks out Jesus for healing her daughter.
o Why was Jesus in Tyre? It was so far away from Galilee… Well, we don’t know, but it is reasonable to speculate that Jesus was seeking to avoid a threat of some kind that would send Him to His death before it was time. One commentator notes that it may be that Herod Antipas, believing that Jesus was his old enemy John the Baptist come back to life, was looking to capture Jesus. In any case, Tyre and Sidon were Gentile regions, so Jesus and the disciples moved into areas that most Jews would have considered unclean.
o Galilee, which should have been friendly territory to Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, proved hostile because of the influence of the Pharisees and scribes. Tyre and Sidon, which should have been hostile to Christ given the history of God’s people, would be much friendlier to Him.
READ Matthew 15:21-28.
Big Take-Aways:
o Jews vs. Gentiles – Jesus’s ministry focus was on the Jewish people; however, He was the Bread of Life for all people. The “children’s bread” (Matthew 15:26) is a symbol of the messianic fulfillment promised to Israel, and Jesus is fulfilling that prophecy. The crumbs (15:27) reflect that God will bless all.
o The Canaanite woman was persistent. “Crying out” in Matthew 15:22 is an imperfect tense in the Greek, suggesting a continuing action, “she kept on crying out to Jesus.” She was bold, gutsy! She was not going to leave without her daughter being set free! She believed her daughter had a right to be set free.
o The focus of this miracle is not on the healing, but on the Gentile woman who makes the request. Note the contrast between the disciples’ lack of faith and this woman’s non-Jewish faith.
o Jesus showed great love and compassion in granting the Canaanite woman’s request, even though it was outside His main mission to Israel. Imagine what this would have meant to the woman. How have you experienced love and compassion from Jesus in your life? No one else received from Jesus the accolade, “GREAT IS YOUR FAITH!” Only this Gentile woman heard these words. Jesus loves all; He is modeling for His disciples, and for US, the need to rethink ethnocentric views and reach out to EVERYONE.
Call to Action: How can we put aside our judgment and reach out to EVERYONE?
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