Matthew 15
December 13, 2022
“The woman came and knelt before him. ‘Lord, help me!’ she said. He replied, ‘It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.’ ‘Yes it is, Lord,’ she said. ‘Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.’ Then Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.’ And her daughter was healed at that moment.” (v25-28)
Jesus’ mission was first to the “lost sheep of Israel” (v24) - in fulfillment of the Messianic promises of the Old Testament, such as Isaiah 49:6a. The idea was that the people of Israel would then take up their missionary role to be a light to the Gentiles (Isaiah 49:6b), so that “all the peoples of the world would be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). But Jesus’ mission extends to the Gentiles here, because this Canaanite woman humbles herself to accept the biblically-inspired order of salvation of “first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles” (Romans 1:16b). Not only is she an example of “great faith” (v28), but she is a reminder that “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).
Father God, as a Gentile, I praise You that Your grace extends to all who will humble themselves and receive what You’ve done for us in Jesus, our Bread of Life, whose crumbs are better than all the world’s delicacies. Lord, deepen my dependence upon You. Continue to teach me that You alone are the true Source of satisfaction. Like this Canaanite woman, grow my faith - so that I approach You boldly, as You invite me to do (Hebrews 4:16). And grow my humility, so that I’m willing to receive whatever it is that You have for me - even if it’s but a crumb from Your table - knowing that even a bread crumb from You is an appetizer of the heavenly banquet that You are preparing for me!
— Pastor Joshua Brooks
Use the following steps to guide your daily time with the Lord…
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Start with prayer. Ask God to open your heart to help you understand and receive His Word.
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Read and observe the passage carefully. As needed, read a second Bible version to help with understanding.
➡️ What does it say?
What does this passage teach me about God? What does it say about my sinful nature and my need for God’s grace? How does this passage point to Jesus?
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➡️ What am I going to do about it?
Does this passage include a promise to claim, an action/attitude to avoid/embrace, or a principle to apply? How can this truth apply to my life? What could my next step be? How can I share this with others? Is there a verse or section of Scripture I need to memorize?
