Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ (Ro 1:7). Amen.
Tomorrow is Labor Day. It is more than the unofficial end of summer. (That is usually when school starts. For some of you that has already happened.) The holiday was set up to celebrate the accomplishments of American workers. We are certainly grateful for the contributions that employers and employees have made to the strength and well-being of our country. But we are also thankful to God for the abilities and talents that he gives us to earn a living and to make an impact—whether great or small (Explanation to First Article). We work together for the benefit of society.
But what about the things that we can’t do? And the list is long. What then? We turn to someone else. That is what the Canaanite woman did. And so do we. Lord, help me in your mercy and with your might. We read from …
Matthew 15:21-28
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, our merciful and mighty Savior,
I am sure that you have seen some footage of the damage, if not the destruction, of Hurricane Harvey. It is hard to imagine a deluge of 40 to 50 inches of rain in such a short time. We are not talking about looking at a light rain from your living room. But sitting on your roof staring at the high water.
If you were to find yourself perched on top of your home, I would guess that it would be a horrible feeling. What could you do but wait for help—from a helicopter flying overhead or boat passing by? That is the only way you are getting to safety.
Perhaps that what that woman in the area of north of Israel felt like—hopeless. We probably can identify with her. When it is critical, like her, we cry out with a short prayer:
Lord, Help Me!
1. In your mercy (21-25)
2. With your might (26-28)
1. In your mercy (21-25)
When in trouble, we want someone to be concerned. If we are sick, a doctor can have a cold stethoscope as long as he has a warm heart. That is mercy—seeing a need and being moved to help. That is how Jesus deals with us when we say, “Lord, help me in your mercy.”
Jesus’ enemies were relentless with their attacks. Responding to them prevented Jesus from teaching his disciples. So he took action: “Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon” (Mt 15:21). Those cities were located a bit north and west of Israel. It wasn’t for a quick vacation, but for some quiet instruction.
But it didn’t last long. Matthew draws our attention to an interesting individual. “A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him” (Mt 15:22). It wasn’t just the unbelieving area she was from, but the unexpected address from her mouth. This Gentile was calling out, and not in a whisper: “Lord, Son of David” (Mt 15:22). Jesus was the Lord—all-powerful, yet all-loving. In spite of the idolatry of her neighbors, she knew the identity of Jesus as the promised descendant of David who was to come to release the world from sin (2 Sa 7:11ff.). She certainly fits the description of the ones whom Isaiah described: “foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD to serve him, to love the name of the LORD, and to worship him” (Is 56:6). God had gathered her to himself (Is 56:8).
She explained what she wanted. “Have mercy on me!” (Mt 15:22). She pleads for pity. And she expressed why she wanted that. “My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession” (Mt 15:22). The devil had a cruel hold on this girl—in whatever form it took. Anyone who is a parent can sympathize with this woman. No mom and no dad like to see their child suffer even a skinned knee. It breaks their hearts. How much more this?
And that is how we approach Jesus. It is not to brag about something, but to beg for everything. We echoed her words earlier, “Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us” (CW p. 15). And we didn’t have to wait for it or wonder about it. “God, our heavenly Father, has been merciful to us” (CW p. 16). And then we heard of how God sends away our sin because Jesus satisfied God’s anger and sacrificed himself. Lord, help me in your mercy because of my sin. And he does through his Son.
But it didn’t appear to be the case with this Canaanite. “Jesus did not answer a word” (Mt 15:23). Not one syllable. That strikes us as strange. Silence. That would be like a person who keeps rowing in his canoe past a person sitting up on his shingles who yells, “Hey, I’m up here. Over here.” That is cold and calloused. But Jesus knew what he was doing.
The twelve couldn’t take her persistence any longer. (She is worthy of our admiration and imitation.) “So his disciples came to him and urged him, ‘Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us’” (Mt 15:23). She was not going to take “no.” They were tired of her being behind them, going after them and groveling. It is hard to tell if they wanted to get rid of the demon or just the distraction. This was getting annoying.
Then Jesus replied with this statement—not even to her: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel” (Mt 15:24). That was a summary of Jesus’ personal ministry even though he came to save the whole world. Salvation for the Jews then would go from the Jews. It was never at the expense of the Gentiles. As the apostle Paul reminded the Romans that God’s mercy is on all (Ro 9:32). But in a sense it seemed as if Jesus didn’t care. We could compare it to the mommy who chases down a doctor in the parking lot and he replies to his buddies with him: “I only care for those who have an appointment.”
The Canaanite woman did not come back with a “how dare you talk to me and treat me that way.” Instead of being insulted, she was insistent: “The woman came and knelt before him. ‘Lord, help me!’” (Mt 15:25).
Have you been there? You pour out your heart and Jesus puts you off? He is more of a stranger than a shepherd. It may look like that but it is not like that. Instead of lashing out at him in anger, we can look to him in humility. We head to the cross to remember his love and his mercy. We return to the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls (1 Pe 2:25). The One who takes away our guilt turns his attention to us. Lord, help me with your mercy. And it is there. We hang on to him like that Canaanite in trust. He is not against us, but for us (Ro 8:31).
2. With your might (26-28)
When in turmoil, we want someone to be competent. The doctor is to write the correct prescription or recommend some physical therapy to get us back among the healthy. Jesus is there with his muscle when we state, “Lord, help me with your might.”
Finally Jesus speaks to this woman on her face at his feet. “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs” (Mt 15:26). Some definitely spoil their four-legged friends. But not at the expense of their kids. It would be out of line to feed the family pet what is intended for the rest of the family. That is not proper or appropriate.
This is not an insult but an invitation. Jesus is not thinking of a dog roaming in the streets, but one staying in the house. And she picked up on it. His comment was correct. It is true that children sit at the table and dogs under it.
But it can happen that a tidbit or two may accidentally be dropped or intentionally be tossed. “Yes, Lord, … but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table” (Mt 15:27). She understood her position. And she wanted just the scraps. Those who have a furry animal know that they can be relentless in their quest for a potato chip or French fry at supper. They stand and stare and stare and stare until something makes its way to the floor (but not for long). The woman was persistent too. She reminds us of Jacob who wrestled with the Lord and refused to let him go until God blessed him (Ge 32:26). And he did with him.
And with her. “‘Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour” (Mt 15:28). Jesus demonstrated his immediate and immense power to help and to heal. At once the girl was cured of her demon possession. “Help me, Lord, with your might.” And he did from a distance.
Our plea is the same. Far too often we accuse Jesus of a “crumby” deal instead of appreciating his total control. As the psalmist reminded us, the Lord is “Maker of heaven and earth” (Ps 134:3). If he can call it into existence, he can care for it. And for us. Jesus may remove our problem in a situation or he may refresh our strength along our path. He is aware of how and when to bless us—even under the table.
And then the Lord can compliment the very thing that he has created just like that lady, “You have great faith!” (Mt 15:28). It reaches a high level because of the object of the confidence—Jesus. “Lord, help me with your might.” And he is there. We hold on to him like the Canaanite woman. And he gives us his ear and gives us a hand in his way and according to his will.
The first Monday in September is a reminder of the contributions of the workforce to our nation no matter what the occupation or profession. We especially think of the rescue workers in southern Texas toiling long and hard, battling the floodwaters. As we commemorate Labor Day, we don’t work for one day and take the rest of the year off. In fact, most people don’t have to punch in tomorrow. We labor for the Lord and that is never in vain (Col 3:23; 1 Co 15:58). And he is by us to benefit us in anything and with everything. So we pray boldly, “Lord, help me in your mercy and with your might.” It shall be so. Amen.
To the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen (Ro 16:27).
September 3, 2017
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