Today’s passage: Matthew 15:21-28
Helpful thoughts:
- The region of Tyre and Sidon was outside of the Jurisdiction of Herod and the Sanhedrin. It was Gentile territory in what today is southern Lebanon.
- Since this woman was a Gentile from this region, she would most likely have been raised a worshiper of false gods, who chose instead to make request of the Jewish Messiah.
- She pledged her allegiance to Him when she called Jesus, “Lord, Son of David.”
- Jesus’ first response was to His disciples, not to the woman, though she was certainly able to hear.
- The woman was undaunted by the way she seemed to be treated and Jesus applauded her for it and healed her daughter instantly.
Questions to consider:
- Who were the disciples irritated with, Jesus or the woman? How did they expect Jesus to treat this Gentile woman?
- Who do you think Jesus was actually teaching by saying these things? Did it seem like He needed to inform this woman of her standing as a Gentile or was she already well aware? Who needed to learn something about people and faith?
- Compare and contrast the humility and faith of this Gentile woman and the pride and rejection of many of the Jews in the Gospels. How did Jesus respond to people who were humble and genuinely believing, regardless of their ethnicity and background?
- How can the faith of this Gentile woman and Jesus’ response to her encourage and impact you today?