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HUMILITY AND PERSISTENCE
MONDAY, JUNE 16
Matthew 15:21-28

Psalm 145

 

“…O woman, great is thy faith…”

 

HUMILITY AND PERSISTENCE
 
When the Syrophenician woman begged Jesus for help, He did not answer her pleas initially. He kept quiet and walked on. His disciples, irritated by her persistent cries, told Jesus to send her away. Jesus finally answered, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” God dealt with Israel first. Since “salvation is of the Jews” as Jesus said, it is only right that it is offered to them first. Notwithstanding, it must be said that Jesus was not shutting out the Gentiles. If that were so, He would not have gone to their cities. He was there precisely to show God’s grace to the Gentiles. Why then did He not answer this Syrophenician woman? He did so for the sake of His disciples who had to learn what true faith was all about. The Jews thus far had been faithless, but this Gentile woman was faithful. Jesus was going to use her as an example of what great faith is.
 
The Syrophenician woman showed great, persistent faith. Jesus said, “the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it” (Luke 16:16). True faith is a faith that will keep pressing on. This woman evinced that kind of persistent faith. Even though Jesus did not answer her, she kept on pleading with Him to save her daughter.
 
Not only was she persistent, she was also humble. Look at how she replied Jesus when He told her that she was but a dog. How would an ordinary person react to such a statement? Most people, if not all, would resent this, and defend their dignity. Not this woman. She humbled herself to the dust, and agreed with Jesus that she was but a dog. In those days, the people dined with their hands, and after they had eaten, they would use the leftover bread to wipe their fingers, and this dirty bread was cast to the ground for their pet dogs to eat. This woman considered herself worthy only of the dirtied pieces of bread that fell from the Lord’s table.
 
What faith! Jesus highly commended her for her great faith. And her daughter was healed that very moment. It is only when we strip ourselves of all our pride, and exalt Jesus in every way, that we receive His blessings.
 
THOUGHT: He must be everything, and I absolutely nothing.

PRAYER: Father, may I be willing to be humble for Jesus.

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