Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted

 Matthew 15:21-28

A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”

Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” He answered, I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. He replied, It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.

Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” Then Jesus said to her, Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

Tyre and Sidon lay outside Jewish territory. The Canaanite woman is quick to seize her opportunity. The case of the centurion's servant makes it clear the race is not a barrier; God's kingdom is inclusive. So the harsh response would seem to be a test of faith. Quick as a flash, the woman quips back, And Jesus will not refuse a request made with such tenacious faith.

Why?

Here it is a test to the woman: How strong the faith she has? And encouraged the faith of his disciples.

When she passed the test, Jesus gave her a positive response. And healed his daughter, the request is granted.

Am I have the same faith to Jesus Christ? If we believe we should have the action like this woman came to Jesus and request to Jesus Christ.

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信心的榜樣

在推羅西頓境內,迦南婦人是以舊約方式稱呼外邦人,即應該被剪除的人,她卻不斷的呼喊。打發她走兩個意思1)趕走 2)滿足她的請求 耶穌卻沒有如此之,門徒的目的是怕麻煩,不是憐憫婦人,而是自己需要。我奉差遣是到以色列人家去,這是為門徒說的,這是神傳福音的順序,不可為自己的原則上,破壞神的原則。這就是給會堂奉獻而不照顧父母就是為自己。

耶穌提到門徒、狗,怎麼這樣說? 耶穌提出一個解套的辦法,婦人的回答讓耶穌醫治,耶穌提出一個場景讓婦人找到解套的辦法。既滿足神的原則,又滿足婦人的請求。耶穌不是在打發這個婦人,而是在不違背神的原則下,為婦人舖路。耶穌為我們也一樣。神的原則是救恩先臨到猶太人。

婦人信心是大的,因為1)稱耶穌為大衛 的子孫,2)大聲呼求,不怕別人 3)婦人知道自己不配。一般如果有信心反而變成驕傲。婦人只要一點點碎雜就好了。這是我們基督徒該學習的榜樣。我們自己本來是不配的。信心的功課是1)神的心意絕不改變,尊主為大,2)謙卑,3)除了主以外沒有別的方法了。

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How?

Faith is our foundation of behaviour. If we have faith in Chris, we don't fear and have peace in us.


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