Devotionals

Moment of Transformation:

• Pray for the items listed in your Transformational Journal
• Pray for the transformation of the five individuals/families you chose
• Pray that the prodigal sons and daughters will be transformed by Christ’s CARE
• Pray for your transformation in order to overcome shame

“Behold, a Canaanitish woman came out from those borders, and cried, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil” (Matthew 15:22, RV). The people of this district were of the old Canaanite race. They were idolaters, and were despised and hated by the Jews. To this class belonged the woman who now came to Jesus. She was a heathen, and was therefore excluded from the advantages which the Jews daily enjoyed. There were many Jews living among the Phoenicians, and the tidings of Christ’s work had penetrated to this region. Some of the people had listened to His words and had witnessed His wonderful works.

This woman had heard of the prophet, who, it was reported, healed all manner of diseases. As she heard of His power, hope sprang up in her heart. Inspired by a mother’s love, she determined to present her daughter’s case to Him. It was her resolute purpose to bring her affliction to Jesus. He must heal her child. She had sought help from the heathen gods, but had obtained no relief. And at times she was tempted to think, What can this Jewish teacher do for me? But the word had come, He heals all manner of diseases, whether those who come to Him for help are rich or poor. She determined not to lose her only hope.

Christ knew this woman’s situation. He knew that she was longing to see Him, and He placed Himself in her path. By ministering to her sorrow, He could give a living representation of the lesson He designed to teach…. The people who had been given every opportunity to understand the truth were without a knowledge of the needs of those around them. No effort was made to help souls in darkness. The partition wall which Jewish pride had erected shut even the disciples from sympathy with the heathen world. But these barriers were to be broken down.

Christ did not immediately reply to the woman’s request…. But although Jesus did not reply, the woman did not lose faith. As He passed on, as if not hearing her, she followed Him, continuing her supplications…. The woman urged her case with increased earnestness, bowing at Christ’s feet, and crying, “Lord, help me”…. The Saviour is satisfied. He has tested her faith in Him. By His dealings with her, He has shown that she who has been regarded as an outcast from Israel is no longer an alien, but a child in God’s household. As a child it is her privilege to share in the Father’s gifts. Christ now grants her request, and finishes the lesson to the disciples. Turning to her with a look of pity and love, He says, “O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt.” From that hour her daughter became whole. The demon troubled her no more. The woman departed, acknowledging her Saviour, and happy in the granting of her prayer.  

Ellen G. White, Daughters of God, pp. 64, 65

Quote of the Day “I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.” Abraham Lincoln

Did You Know?

In this region of Tyre and Sidon Jesus encounters a predominantly Gentile community. The scene that Matthew records is one in which much prejudice and many barriers abound: religious, cultural, ethnic, and political.

Going Deeper

She does not stay to argue that her claims are as good as anyone else’s. She does not discuss whether Jew is better than Gentile, or Gentile as good as Jew. She does not dispute the justice of the mysterious ways by which God works out his divine purpose, choosing one race and rejecting another. All she knows is that her daughter is grievously tormented, that she needs supernatural help, and that here in the person of the Lord, the son of David is one who is able to give her that help; and she is confident that even if she is not entitled to sit down as a guest at the Messiah’s table, Gentile “dog” that she is, yet at least she may be allowed to receive a crumb of the uncovenanted mercies of God.

R. V. G. Tasker, The Gospel According to St. Matthew (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1961), 151–52.

Question…

In your opinion what made this Canaanite woman’s faith so great? What can you learn from her?

This Week’s Homework

1. Memorize: “In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry came before Him, even to His ears.” Psalm 18:6 NKJV
2. Pray for the five individuals/families to whom you have delivered the outreach resource, that they may be touched by its message.