A WOMAN OF CANAAN Matt 15:21-28Mark 7:24-30 Outsider Had a severe problem Knew of Jesus Had a great determination Achieved her Goal Overview of text

But a potential beneficiary of the seed Promise Outsider A woman of Canaan Matt. 15:22 A Greek, Syro-Phoenician Mark 7:26 Not of Israel But a potential beneficiary of the seed Promise Outsider From Region of Canaan, a Greek, Syro-Phoenician by birth. Not of the Chosen ones , Israel Prospective beneficiary of Seed Promise

A severe problem Daughter Severely Demon Possessed Problem Common malady at this time No known Cure

Knew of Jesus Jesus was into his personal ministry She heard of him Mark 7:25 Aware of Messianic Prophesy Matt 15:22 A belief that He was the one Personal Ministry Known to work miracles, heal the sick, give sight to the blind cast out demons Same power given to disciples Heard of Him—not done in a corner Jesus Preaching heard by Samaritans John 4:39-41 Centurion’s Servant healed Matt 8:5-13 Miracles worked on “outsiders”--Possible cure for the Daughter Aware of Prophesy Calls him “Lord” Calls him “son of David” A “belief “ HE was the one.—else why would she come to him.

A Great Determination She came to Jesus “Confessed” Him as “Lord” Matt 15:22 Not deterred by being ignored Matt 15:23 She Kept asking Mark 7:26 Not deterred by Disciples-- “Send her away” Matt 15:23 Jesus’ answer 15:23-26, Mark 7:27 Not deterred by “Reason” Matt 15:26 Confessing and asking for Mercy -- Knew the only source of the cure She was Ignored He answered not a word She Kept asking How would many react to being ignored? She was not deterred! Do something, she bothers us---a distraction Jesus’ answer to Disciples--Not sent but to Israel Matt 15”23-24 Jesus answer to her– Matt 15:24-26 Hear Mark’s account-- Mark 7:27 Interpretation of Matt? Gentiles excluded or just second in line? If excluded, Jesus violated his sending It is not right for us to give what is for the children to dogs What would you do if you were called a “dog” Would you have given her answer? How much encouragement did she get? Yet she was determined Where did her determination come from? Hope for a cure

Goal Achieved Daughter Healed Great Faith Matt 15:28 For this Saying Mark 7:29 Go your way… Mark 7:29 Despite lack of encouragement Goal Achieved --Daughter healed Because of great faith— no obstacle too great to interfere with goal For this saying—The crumbs are sufficient The command “Go your way…. What if he had said Dip 7 times in Jordan? What if he had said clean all the leaven out of your house? What if he had said “Eat the Passover”? What if he had said “Repent and be Baptized?

Application We either were or are outsiders We have a severe problem We need to “know of Jesus” We need that same determination We can solve the problem Although Outsiders-- Yet part of seed promise We have a severe problem– Sin it keeps us out of heaven Which is worse, being possessed by a demon or spending an eternity in hell? We can know of Jesus– John 20:30-31 We can read the Bible If we have that determination, We can solve the Problem just as she did. She heard of Jesus and obviously his teaching and the prophesies She believed that he was the Messiah prophesied. She confessed him as Lord and son of David I have no doubt that she would have followed any command given her by the lord of which the easiest would be repent and be baptized? I have no doubt that she would have changed her life and lived faithfully to get her Daughter cured. What about you? Do you have the determination to do what will cure sin ?