Trending
[Editor's Note: This is part two of a three-part article by Dr. James Barnes]
Demons are fallen angels who operate in the kingdom of darkness. They indwell unbelievers. This is a little girl. A young girl, an unmarried girl, under the age of 12 or 13, for that was the age girls usually got married. She was a demon possessed girl and it must have been a horrific experience for the mother. The demon described as unclean probably indicates that the demon was manifesting itself in some immoral conduct through the child. The mother is heartbroken and has nowhere else to turn. She had probably already appealed to whatever deities she had been taught existed. After all, if you had a sick child would you not exhaust every possible remedy possible? She now believes Jesus is the only one who can help her.
Look at this lady’s faith. Her faith is so amazing that in Matt 15:28, Jesus says, "You have great faith." Not just faith but mega faith, big faith, strong faith, great faith. Understand that faith has to be placed in the right object. People today say I believe. Believe in what? In whom? Faith has to have an object. You have to place your faith in something valid, someone true. Can't just put your faith in yourself. Can't just say I have faith that things will work out. What is that, faith in chance? She had faith in Him. He was and is the only legitimate object of faith, there is no salvation in any other. So she goes to him in v.26 and kept asking and asking him. In Matt. 15:22 she comes and says, "Have mercy on me, Lord, O Son of David." That tells it all, doesn't it? She believes in someone she knows to be the Lord and the Son of David. And she asks for mercy. If you need mercy you don't ask for justice. She is not saying I am worthy of this. She is not saying I deserve this. She is saying I am not worthy. I need mercy. On behalf of my tragic life with this demon possessed girl be merciful to me. She knows he is the Messiah and gives him the messianic title, Son of David. So she has an understanding of her own unworthiness, her own sinfulness, her own need for mercy. So she approaches the one who is the dispenser of mercy, the Messiah, the Son of David. She kept asking and asking but Jesus never says a word. Ever speak to someone and they ignore you? How does that make you feel? Some commentators attempt to explain the behavior of the Lord. Some say he only came for the Jews and she was no Jew.
Some say he had other things on his mind. Some say he was seeking seclusion and didn't want to be interrupted. I think he was demonstrating to his apostles what saving faith looked like. It is penitent, persistent, and relentless. He was just letting saving faith be displayed. Who needed to see that? The disciples. How do I know that? Because in Matthew 15:23 they came to Jesus and implored him to send her away because she kept shouting. That is about as sensitive as a brick. This lesson was necessary for them. They needed to learn something from this. Those disciples were going to go out and minister and they needed to know what saving faith looks like. It is humble, broken, desperate, penitent, reverent, respectful and persistent. All they could say was get rid of this woman. If she keeps screaming she is going to mess up our privacy because she will attract a crowd. So before Jesus answers the woman he responds to his disciples in Matt. 15:24.
He says, I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. He was telling them that a wide-open door for the Gentiles is still the future. So he says you guys are right, I came for Israel. But now they had to turn the corner and illustrate how that is not the final goal for his coming. Matt. 15:25 says this woman bows down with her head on the ground worshipping and says to Jesus, Lord, help me." First time she uses his Messianic tile and this time she drops it. Why? She is now affirming that he is the creator, the sovereign God. In Mark v.27 Jesus answers her. He says, "Let the children be satisfied first for it is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." Why would he say that? Sounds almost rude, I mean he just called her a dog! What did he mean? Well, it was like a little mini parable, an analogy. You serve a meal in your home, you feed the children first. Is it proper to take the food your children need and give it to your dog? Where is your priority?
•••
Dr. James Barnes has pastored the White Memorial Church in Milroy for 25 years. The church is located on 68 S. Main St., Milroy.