WEDNESDAY- 18^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

Gospel: Matthew 15:21-28: Woman you have great faith.

I Reading: Jeremiah 31:1-7: I have loved you with an everlasting love.

 

The Messiah Teaches What It Takes to Receive Things of God, 15:21-28

This is a difficult passage to understand because of Jesus’ apparent attitude toward a person with such a desperate need. Jesus knew every thought of her heart and he knew exactly what was needed to lead her to a personal faith in him. Jesus is the Master of all lives (or dogs v.26-27), and a person must persist and demonstrate humility in seeking him.

1.     Jesus withdrew to Gentile religions (v.21-22)

a.     To the border of tyre and Sidon

b.    A desperate woman approached Jesus

2.     A cry of need (v.22)

a.     She cried for mercy

b.    She cried to the Son of David

c.      She cried for another for her daughter

3.     A persistence that would not quit (v.23-24)

a.     Despite Jesus’ silence

b.    Despite the objection of the disciples

c.      Despite being undeserving

4.     A spirit that worshipped Jesus as Lord (v.25)

5.     A spirit of humility and surrender (v.26-27)

a.     The need to learn humility

b.    The confession of humility: she accepted Jesus’ verdict of her

6.     A great faith (v.28)

a.     Jesus’ climatic commendation: “You have great faith”

b.    Jesus’ climatic reward: Granted her request

Thought: There is a great lesson here for believers. The woman was a heathen, yet she knew and did something that so many of us have never learned.

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