Lessons in FaithMatthew 15:21-39

• When: After feeding 5000, walking on water, and confronting the false tradition of the Pharisees

• Where: Tyre/Sidon, which was part Canaan (vs. 22), the land promised to Israel.– Joshua didn’t get rid of all Canaanites in Tyre/Sidon– The wickedness of these

cities was frequently denounced by the prophets

– They didn’t repent (Mt 11:21)• Why: “I rather incline to

think that … that this was a kind of a praeludium to the calling of the Gentiles”–Poole

Syrophoenician Woman (vs. 21-28)

• What: – Mk 7:24, “[He] entered into an house, and would have no man

know it; but he could not be hid.”– A Syrophoenician [also called “Greek”] woman intercedes for her

demon possessed daughter [Mark calls it an “unclean spirit”] .• Points of Interest:

– A Gentile calling Jesus “Son of David” (Jewish title, from prophecies of 2 Sam 7:12-17 & fulfilled in Mt 1:1, used 16 times)

– Election of Israel (Mt 10:5-6, Rom 1:16)• Gospel for all Gentiles (“ethnos”) in Mt 28:19

– The children’s bread = Covenant Rights • Covenant of Healing (Ex 23:25, 15:26, Lk 13:16)

– Why the term “dog”? • A term of reproach (2 Sam 9:8, Mt 7:6, Php 3:2, Rev 22:15)• Perhaps Jesus was playing along with the mindset of His

Jewish disciples, who had no compassion for her (vs. 23)? • Tested her faith AND demonstrated He is no respecter of men.

Syrophoenician Woman (vs. 21-28)

• 2nd of 2 mentions of “Great Faith”: (Also Mt 8:10)– Both cases – Intercessory & remote from the sick

• 9 characteristics of the prayer of great faith– Humble – “Truth, Lord”, admitting she had no rights as a dog

– Fervent – “Let it be to you as you desire” (NKJV)

– Desperate – “Lord Help me”

– Rational – “be it unto thee even as thou wilt”, her will=His will

– Reverent – Called Him “Lord” multiple times

– Worshipful – “Then came she and worshipped him”

– Persistent – “She begged Him” (Mk 7:26, ESV)

– Expectant – “the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall”

– Verbal – “For this saying … the devil is gone out” (Mk 7:29)

Syrophoenician Woman (vs. 21-28)

• When: After healing the woman’s daughter and passing through the Decapolis

• Where: Back at the Sea of Galilee• Why: Continued to minister

– Healed the “lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others (vs. 30)

– “They glorified God”, for Christ fulfilled Isaiah’s

prophecies (Isa 35:5-6)• What Occurred Next:

– Jesus miraculously fed 4000 men + women and children

Feeding the 4000 (vs. 29-39)

• Points of Interest: – Jesus’ motive (as in 5 other cases in Matthew):

“Compassion” (vs 32)– Short-term memory of the disciples: They doubted even

though Jesus just fed 5000 (vs 33)

• Application: Don’t Forget!– I remember: “I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.”

(2 Tim 4:17)– Therefore: “ the Lord shall deliver me from every evil

work” (2 Tim 4:18)– I remember: “[Christ] delivered us from so great a death”

(2 Cor 1:10a)– Therefore: “we trust that he will yet deliver us” (2 Cor

1:10b) – What has God done for you? How can that build your trust

in Him for the situation you’re in?

Feeding the 4000 (vs. 29-39)