Matthew 15:22-23: He didn't answer a word
I believe Matthew wrote 15:21-28 to make the point that Israel ’s Messiah was the saviour of all the nations and that his kingdom power extended beyond the borders of Israel
But within that grand purpose it isn’t difficult to see other related purposes. Or at least, if not “purposes” we can see truths embedded—as a part of life itself—in that particular story.
I’m sure the Christ lengthens his exchange with the woman in whom he sees great possibilities and great faith so that his Jewish disciples, the elect children, will learn to see her as more than Matthew 15:22-23: He didn't answer a word
I believe Matthew wrote 15:21-28 to make the point that Israel’s Messiah was the saviour of all the nations and that his kingdom power extended beyond the borders of Israel to embrace all the nations. We add this story to numerous others and see Christ delivering a foreigner, in foreign territory and dealing with the satanic powers anywhere he decided to go.
But within that grand purpose it isn’t difficult to see other related purposes. Or at least, if not “purposes” we can see truths embedded—as a part of life itself—in that particular story.
I’m sure the Christ lengthens his exchange with the woman in whom he sees great possibilities and great faith so that his Jewish disciples, the elect children, will learn to see her as more than a nuisance that is to be sent on her way (15:23). Even if they were implying (as I think they were) that he should give her what she wanted, they still thought of her as someone to be got rid of. He wanted them to see her faith; wanted them to see that great faith existed outside the elect Israel. He had said something about that earlier.
I suspect that he helped her faith greatly by testing it and allowing her the opportunity to express it under provocation. The “food of the children” was what God was giving them through the Messiah and he, prodding her, wondered if she might not think God was stingy and callous. She wouldn’t go along with that and said so! She thought that a God who would be so faithful and kind to Israel and its mothers and families would know or care how all mothers and families feel. He gave her an opportunity to say that a God who was pouring out rich blessings could not be so miserly that he would keep the children’s scraps from the equally hungry though they were not part of the family.
She was now arguing to support what she had come to believe due to the stories she must have heard. This was good for her, as well as for the disciples. To express faith, to argue in its favour, to hold on to it in the face of provocation gives it a new complexion and toughness. It withstands scrutiny! And she was defending this view of God even before her faith was rewarded. Given the time and the place and the woman it was perhaps inevitable that God would heal her child.
I want to believe that when she went back home and her daughter met her at the door all well and happy that this nameless woman would smile at how Jesus had strung her along. I want to believe that she rejoiced that her faith had been so well grounded that she was more than a match for Christ as he made her stand up for God.
“Jesus did not answer a word.” (15:22-23) Yeah right! But sometimes he means his silences to be every bit as rich as his speech.
Strong and glorious Lord. Blessed little Canaanite woman with no name who teaches us not to misconstrue his silences.
©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.
Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com. nuisance that is to be sent on her way (15:23). Even if they were implying (as I think they were) that he should give her what she wanted, they still thought of her as someone to be got rid of. He wanted them to see her faith; wanted them to see that great faith existed outside the elect Israel
I suspect that he helped her faith greatly by testing it and allowing her the opportunity to express it under provocation. The “food of the children” was what God was giving them through the Messiah and he, prodding her, wondered if she might not think God was stingy and callous. She wouldn’t go along with that and said so! She thought that a God who would be so faithful and kind to Israel
She was now arguing to support what she had come to believe due to the stories she must have heard. This was good for her, as well as for the disciples. To express faith, to argue in its favour, to hold on to it in the face of provocation gives it a new complexion and toughness. It withstands scrutiny! And she was defending this view of God even before her faith was rewarded. Given the time and the place and the woman it was perhaps inevitable that God would heal her child.
I want to believe that when she went back home and her daughter met her at the door all well and happy that this nameless woman would smile at how Jesus had strung her along. I want to believe that she rejoiced that her faith had been so well grounded that she was more than a match for Christ as he made her stand up for God.
“Jesus did not answer a word.” (15:22-23) Yeah right! But sometimes he means his silences to be every bit as rich as his speech.
Strong and glorious Lord. Blessed little Canaanite woman with no name who teaches us not to misconstrue his silences.
©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.
Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.
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