Sermon Tone Analysis
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I. Introduction
In this brief incident recorded by Matthew and Mark, we find one of the Lord’s most unique conversations.
The setting is unique, the audience is unique, and Jesus’ words are certainly unique - even to the point of seeming derogatory and offensive.
Yet in this scene, we meet the second individual in the gospels who possessed a faith that impressed Jesus.
Why does Jesus act and speak the way He does, and what can this obscure woman teach us about having a great faith?
After the “Bread of Life” discourse, Pharisees and Scribes came from Jerusalem to investigate Jesus’ works and teachings.
They were appalled to witness Jesus’ disciples eating with unwashed hands, thus breaking their traditions.
This lead to a discussion between them and Jesus about the commandments of God and the traditions of men.
Jesus also used the opportunity to teach about true uncleanness.
II.
Setting
Departure of many after the “Bread of Life” discourse ()
Pharisees and Scribes come from Jerusalem to investigate Jesus.
This leads to a confrontation regarding the commandments of God and the traditions of men.
Jesus withdrawals to the area of Tyre and Sidon, seeking solitude according to
Why? Possibly seeking an opportunity to teach His disciples (cf. )
In typical fashion, Jesus’ anonymity doesn’t last long, and people learn He is in the area.
Particularly, one woman learns of his presence and seeks Him out, disturbing His attempt at solitude.
III.
The Syro-Phoenician Woman
Jesus has had many conversations with many different types of people.
He spoke privately with the Samaritan woman at the well.
He called a tax-collector to be one of His disciples.
But perhaps none of Jesus’ interactions is as scandalous to the Jewish mind as this one.
The woman is, well, a woman
She is a gentile
She is a Syrian from the area of Phoenicia, the area of Tyre and Sidon.
Historically, Tyre and Sidon had often been the enemies of Israel
Matthew calls her a “Caananite.”
No term of ethnicity showed a greater contrast than Canaanite.
The Canaanites represented the very people that were supposed to be cast out; the people that plagued the Jews.
This woman’s resume is abysmal to the normal Jewish mind - a person not worthy of being talked to, more less helped by the Messiah.
This woman can claim none of the credits that a good Jew might bring to the Prophet of Nazareth.
Her only cover letter is her desperate need
Despite her poor credentials, the woman will end up being highly commended for her faith, and receiving and answer to her petition!
Many question Jesus’ actions and words before finally granting this woman’s request.
Some believe He was initially irritated, but impressed by her wit in the end, and thus gave in to her requests.
What seems much more likely, is Jesus acted as He did and said what He did precisely because of her faith.
Jesus knew her heart, but also saw fit to test her faith.
Seeing her response and faithfulness, Jesus was impressed.
Further, this scene was likely meant as an object lesson for His disciples, showing them the true plans of the Lord’s kingdom to envelope the Gentiles as well as the Jews.
What made this woman’s faith so great?
IV.
Great Faith
1.
She had a Persistent Faith
The woman faced a terrible situation.
Her little daughter was possessed by a demon.
No doctor could heal her; No pagan priest could cast it out.
She had to watch her daughter be tormented by the evil spirit.
Thus her plea is both for her daughter and herself, and why she begins with, “Have mercy on me!”
We’re not told how this woman knew about Jesus, but she believed He could help her.
She was at least familiar with Jewish history and the Jewish teachings of the Messiah, and she believed Jesus was that Messiah, for she refers to Him as “Son of David.”
Jesus’ first response is simply silence.
He says nothing to her, and does not acknowledge her painful situation nor her cries for mercy.
While this might appear rude, it does not detract the woman.
She continues to make her request known, despite the Lord’s silence.
Her persistence shows how much she believed.
She knew who can help her, and there is nowhere else to turn.
Thus, she will continue to make her request.
We can learn a lesson of faith from the woman, particularly in our own prayers.
Sometimes it seems as though our prayers are unheard, or it feels as though God is not answering our prayers.
Sometimes, it may feel like the Lord is silent in response to our own problems and pleas.
Giving up on God is a sign of weak faith.
Strong faith will persist in following Him; persist in obeying Him; and persist in relying on Him, even when He seems silent.
The Lord Himself exhorted us to ask, seek, and know.
Her persistence wore on the disciples, until they too asked Jesus to “send her away.”
This probably doesn’t mean they wanted Him to send her away empty handed: based on Jesus’ response in verse 24 it seems they were asking Jesus to give her what she wanted so that she would leave them alone.
To earthly perspective, Jesus is being rude and uncaring.
At least the disciples are willing to have her wish granted.
But Jesus is silent for a purpose.
He is testing her faith, which will bring great blessing.
He is teaching her and the disciples important lessons.
The disciples would do the same thing Jesus does in the end, but simply to be rid of a pest.
What eternal good would that have brought anyone?
What lessons would be learned?
As we serve and help others, let us remember to be patient, and seek to do what is right for the right reasons towards others, not what seems good simply for expedience.
Jesus finally speaks, and His response is directed towards the disciples.
“I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
While Jesus’ sacrifice would be for the whole world, the focus of His earthly mission was to be spent on Israel and the Jewish people.
This was the general rule, but there were of course exceptions.
The question is, why should this woman be such an exception?
The Woman was persistent despite this seemingly discouraging Word.
She believed Jesus could heal her daughter, and that only He could heal her daughter.
She knew her hope lay in Jesus, and so she came and knelt before Him in worship, and simply asked, “Lord help me.”
2.
She had a Non-Contentious faith
Persistence does not mean arrogance.
While persistent, she is reverent.
She kneels and worships.
So far, she has not gained an inch of ground.
Jesus hasn’t spoken to her, and His answer to the disciples is, “I’m here for Israel, not for her.”
While this might be disappointing, even angering to some, she doesn’t reject Jesus.
Even when things don’t go her way, she recognizes as that as the Messiah, He deserves her worship and reverence.
True faith worships God even when things don’t go our way.
Even when hardship and pain abound, real faith worship God.
Like Job who tore his clothes, fell down, and worshipped, those with strong faith serve God even when it almost feels like God is against them.
Further, she is humble.
It takes humility to ask the basest question, “please help me.”
Some people can’t accept they need help.
Some people can’t lower themselves to such a state.
But until we recognize we NEED the Savior, and that He alone can give us the help we need, our faith won’t be as strong as it should be.
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