Reading 16
The Faith to Persevere, the Courage to Show God’s Love to All—Matthew 15
Has your faith been tested by the completely unexpected pandemic? Because of the coronavirus, we find ourselves filled with uncertainty, anxiety, fear, or for many maybe even panic with things changing quickly and a constant barrage of distressing news reports. We fear for ourselves and for our loved ones, especially if we or they are in vulnerable populations or are at risk.
Following a confrontation where Pharisees complained that Jesus’ disciples didn’t wash their hands before they ate, Jesus went out to the country where he met a Canaanite woman. The woman followed Jesus and asked for healing for her daughter, “Have mercy on me…My daughter is severely demon-possessed.” Against all odds, even when it appeared that she was being ignored and turned away, the woman persevered. She persevered when the disciples urged Jesus to “send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” She persevered when Jesus was silent. She persevered when Jesus made it clear that He was not sent to Gentiles like her. She knew who Jesus was and trusted, believed, and hoped in Jesus! Finally, her plea was answered. With a faith that wouldn’t give up, she kept hanging on to the hope that Jesus would have mercy on her and help her, and He did!
Jesus is an example to his disciples and to us of how to be mission-focused but with the life-giving truth that God loves all people and teaches us to show compassion and stand against those who deny human rights and dignity to anyone. It seems intentional and appropriate that later in this chapter Jesus fed a crowd of four thousand, a sign that He could meet the needs of the nations.
Maybe it seems that God is silent as we endure trials but let us have faith like the Canaanite woman. It is in uncertain, changing times like we are living in now, and against all odds, that God calls us to trust, believe, and hope in Him. Let us not lose hope or give up but let us persist in faith and prayer.
To Consider:
- Jesus described the Canaanite woman as having “great” faith. How do you think He would describe your faith?
- The Canaanite woman was certainly an “outsider.” Reflect on what you do and don’t do, see and disregard, or hear and ignore when it comes to showing hospitality or caring for “outsiders,” those in a different race, custom, or culture.
Good and gracious God, keep us faithful in our calling. Help us to have the faith to know that you hear our prayers and to persevere. God of mercy and hope help us to see the needs of those around us and to respond with love. Amen.
Diana Haywood is the Vice President of the North Carolina Synod. She is a member of Church of the Abiding Savior in Durham, NC where she enjoys cooking, listening to music and spending time with family. She and her husband Jim are the proud and loving parents of sons, Tony and Chris, and devoted grandparents to TJ and Zachary.
