Merely The Crumbs (Understanding the Power of God)

Today I want to focus our attention in Matthew 15:21-28. Only a handful of verses, but so much to learn from what we are about to read. We will be studying from the Amplified version of the bible, as I love how it expands on this story. The scene opens with Jesus, His disciples and a desperate woman.

“And going away from there, Jesus withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman who was a Canaanite from that district came out and with a [loud, troublesomely urgent] cry, begged, ‘Have mercy on me O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is miserably and distressingly and cruelly possessed by a demon!’ But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and implored Him saying, ‘Send her away, for she is crying out after us.’ He answered, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’ But she came and kneeling, worshipped Him and kept praying, ‘Lord help me!’

And He answered, ‘It is not right (proper, becoming, or fair) to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.’ She said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the little pups (little whelps) eat the crumbs that fall from their [young] masters’ table.’ Then Jesus answered her, ‘O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you wish. And her daughter was cured from that moment.’”

There is so much to unpack within these verses. First, let’s discuss how this woman is noted to be a Canaanite. She was not a Jew, but a Gentile who was living in the area. We are not told how long she had been living within the region, but it was long enough for her to learn and come to understand some of the Jewish teachings. We can determine this because she called Jesus, “Son of David”. This was a term that would have been known to the children of Israel, per the prophecies that had been told to them for generations and written within the scrolls of the Torah.

She also paid attention to the village chatter of that day, because she knew who Jesus was when He entered the area and also knew He had the capacity to drive out demons. I’m sure word spread all over about the miracles He was performing, and the authority He seemed to carry. And going back to the way she addressed Jesus when she first pleaded with Him, we already see a sense of awe, respect and understanding this was no mere man- a reverence we will see even more on display later in the passage.

So, here she comes- with a fiery determination that will not be extinguished. She believes, to the core of her being, this man holds the answer to her problem. She is relentless, crying out in a loud voice, uncaring who hears or sees her. Unashamed of what others will think. She is a momma on mission, unyielding in her pursuit to get healing for her demon possessed daughter. As a mother, I understand the passion that rises within you, when you have a sick baby. You will do, whatever you need to do, to help make them well and whole. But, the Master was silent- “But, He did not answer her a word” (vs 23)

There is nothing more crushing than silence, when you are desperate for answers. You need hope. You seek encouragement, something to cling to, because what you are holding is threadbare and about to break. We all know He heard her, she was screaming out in a loud voice after all. Yet, still He spoke not a word.

I pause here to post a question for thought- “How many prayers have you stopped praying, or how many cries have become silent, because the Lord was silent?”

The beauty of this Gentile woman, pounding on the door of Heaven, refusing to be shut out, is something we need to take copious notes on. Why would someone be that persistent? Because of what they believed to be true. No one was going to sway her mind in a different direction, because she knew in the very fiber of her soul this man was her rescue and the healing her daughter needed. She KNEW He was the Healer, and no amount of silence was going to change her mind. What you believe, will manifest into action.

Sometimes tenacity; however, can get under other people’s skin. But, I have found most often this occurs when what is driving the determination is misunderstood by those throwing complaints. The disciples were ready to be rid of her. “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” (vs 23) They have no patience or compassion for this woman of a different nationality and background. She was loud and persistent, and they wanted peace.

Another pause to drop a tiny, golden nugget of truth- “Don’t let others get in your way, slow you down, or stop you in your pursuit of Jesus.”

It is at this point in the story, Christ speaks. Interestingly enough, He does not address the request from His followers to send this woman packing- He speaks to her. “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

Well, there you have it. Jesus had a mission, and it didn’t include a Canaanite like herself. His focus was on the Jewish nation, the chosen people. So, she hung her head and walked away with deep despair in her heart.

Oh wait- that is how most people would respond. Sounded like a “no” to me.

But, the action we see from this woman, deserves respect and attention. She bowed low, fell to His feet, pressed even harder, worshipped deeper and cried even louder. “Lord, help me!” (vs 25) She wasn’t swayed by the Lord’s reply. How could she be? When you have been searching for a solution to a deeply troubling problem, and the answer is literally right in front of you, you will refuse to back down and let go- at least it should be that way.

Food for thought #3- “At the first sign of a road block, a possible hinderance in the answers you seek, do you back off in your petition to Heaven?”

Then the Master spoke again, and I must admit His response has always been shocking to me. He basically called her a house dog that is found waiting under the master’s dinner table. She didn’t have a seat at the table. It was not time for the Gentiles to be grafted in yet, even though they would be later. She couldn’t receive the “bread” that was only being offered to the Jews.

This “bread”- the man of Jesus Christ, was everything she needed. Her reply is even more outlandish than what the Messiah spoke to her.

“You are right, I’m not one of your own. I am not of your people, the Jews, but I believe in everything You are and all you claim to be. I’m not looking for a whole slice of “bread”, just give me a crumb. Let me have just a tiny portion of You, Lord. I know, there is just as much power in that tiny crumb, as there is in the whole slice.”

Obviously I am paraphrasing the woman’s response, but her boldness reflects a heart that understood the mighty power and authority this man possessed. All it was going to take to make her daughter whole, was just a small portion of His power. He was the Lord of all. He commanded and spoke, and it was done. Just toss her a crumb, and she had zero doubt her daughter would be made well.

Golden nugget alert- “God’s power is limitless. He can do more with one person, than you can on your own with a whole army.

So, where does your understanding of God’s power land in your heart and mind? Most would say intellectually they know the Lord is omnipotent; however, their actions do not reflect their belief.

Hard seasons come and there is stress and anxiety.

A problem arises and you pray for guidance and answers, while at the same time trying to manipulate a solution in your own power.

Your prayers become fewer, as the silence from heaven reverberates on the walls of your heart.

What we need, is the ground shaking determination and relentless pursuit of the One Who holds all our answers, just like this gentile woman.

Do not grow weary of praying over the thing that seems impossible. Now, hear me out. I’m not saying He will give you everything you ask for, if you just keep bugging Him. He’s not a genie in a bottle or Santa Claus. “No” is an answer. But, if you notice in the scriptures we read today, Jesus’ replies sounded discouraging, but there was never a hard “no” in what He said to the woman.

If you haven’t gotten a final verdict, keep seeking the face of the Judge. Keep praying over that loved one who needs healing or salvation. Don’t stop crying out, louder and longer, and remind the Father you need help!

Where else can we go, but to the Lord? He is the Mighty One. He sustains life and death, and upholds it all in His righteous right hand. The man Who spoke all we see into existence, can provide for your every need. He took every sin upon His shoulders and suffered and died for all of mankind. He defeated Hell and death. There is nothing He cannot do.

So run to the Father like you understand He is the only answer you need. Cry out! Scream to the heavens that you are desperate for Him and He is your only hope! Fall at His feet and worship hard! Praise Him for His might and power which are without boundaries.

And tell Him, “Jesus, this situation is overwhelming me to the point I just might suffocate, but I know even just a crumb from your table has enough power to make everything right.”

Don’t know about you, but sign me up for a doggie bag from the King’s table anytime.