October 11
Mark 7:24-30; Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:31-37; Matthew 15:29-31; Mark 8:1-10; Matthew 15:32-16:4; Mark 8:11-21; Matthew 16:5-12
When we talk to people we often figure things out as the conversation evolves. Though God gives those indwelt with the Holy Spirit the ability to discern, we don't fully know the heart of another like Jesus does. As we go through this portion of Scripture, we must remember this fact: Jesus already knows those who will respond to Him in faith, and those who will not. He knows the difference between true seekers and those not truly seeking. He knows beforehand true believers and make-believers. We must also remember what faith is, as defined in Hebrews 11:1, "Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see." Our faith isn't based on seeing miracles, etc., it is a matter of the heart and on believing things which can't necessarily be touched, seen, or heard. Faith goes beyond our five senses.
We read a portion of Scripture which troubles some in Matthew 15:21-28, "Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Gentile woman who lived there came to him, pleading, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.” But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. “Tell her to go away,” they said. “She is bothering us with all her begging.” Then Jesus said to the woman, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.” But she came and worshiped him, pleading again, “Lord, help me!” Jesus responded, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.” She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.” “Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed." Though the Jewish people of that day called the Gentiles, "dogs", which referred to the dirty scavenging dogs that would eat garbage, etc., Jesus instead used the word for a puppy which would be a household pet. This might still not sound comforting on the surface, or that He initially ignored her request. But, remember, not only did Jesus already know her heart, but He also already knew that He would heal her daughter. He was not being talked into it, but drawing out the full expression of her faith, both for her own good, and so that she could serve as an example to others. This is contrasted with a request which He did not do, in Matthew 16:1-4, " One day the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus, demanding that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority. He replied, “You know the saying, ‘Red sky at night means fair weather tomorrow; red sky in the morning means foul weather all day.’ You know how to interpret the weather signs in the sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the signs of the times! Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign, but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah.” Then Jesus left them and went away." The religious leaders had already seen so much, but their lack of faith blinded them to who Jesus was, and no amount of miracles would change this. Jesus knew this already.
Two requests. One from a Gentile, the other from the most respected, religious members of society. But it was the outcast who had the faith, not the members of the popular, "Who's Who" crowd who lacked faith. Jesus warned His disciples in Matthew 16:6, " “Watch out!” Jesus warned them. “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”, which was interpreted for them in 16:12, " Then at last they understood that he wasn’t speaking about the yeast in bread, but about the deceptive teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees." Like then, even now, we must be careful what it is that we are seeking. It is faith, plain and simple which brings one to salvation, as we read in Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV), "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." We are not to seek a sign, or follow a teaching of a "to-do" list. It is a matter of faith, plain and simple. This is why the tools of salvation is the Word of God and prayer. We read in John 8:31-32, (NKJV), " Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” This can be facilitated through fellowship in church, teachings, etc. But we must always be discerning to make sure that nothing is being added to faith or God's grace.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: