Woof – Part 1

March 17, 2025

Broadcast

                             Woof - Part 1
                           Matthew 15:21-28
                              03/17/2025


        21   And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the
             district of Tyre and Sidon.
        22   And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region
             came out and was crying, ``Have mercy on me, O
             Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely
             oppressed by a demon.''
        23   But he did not answer her a word. And his
             disciples came and begged him, saying, ``Send her
             away, for she is crying out after us.''
        24   He answered, ``I was sent only to the lost sheep
             of the house of Israel.''
        25   But she came and knelt before him, saying, ``Lord,
             help me.''
        26   And he answered, ``It is not right to take the
             children's bread and throw it to the dogs.''
        27   She said, ``Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the
             crumbs that fall from their masters' table.''
        28   Then Jesus answered her, ``O woman, great is your
             faith! Be it done for you as you desire.'' And her
             daughter was healed instantly.

        This week we are learning of God's grace and perseverance in
   prayer.  What might seem to be God's indifference and opposition
   may, in fact, be a blessing not only for the one who prays, but
   for all people.

        And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the
        district of Tyre and Sidon.  And behold, a Canaanite
        woman from that region came out and was crying, ``Have
        mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is
        severely oppressed by a demon.''  But he did not answer
        her a word. And his disciples came and begged him,
        saying, ``Send her away, for she is crying out after
        us.''  He answered, ``I was sent only to the lost sheep
        of the house of Israel.''  But she came and knelt
        before him, saying, ``Lord, help me.''  And he
        answered, ``It is not right to take the children's
        bread and throw it to the dogs.''  She said, ``Yes,
        Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from
        their masters' table.''  Then Jesus answered her, ``O
        woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you
        desire.'' And her daughter was healed instantly.


        What are the lessons we should learn from this event in
   Jesus' life?  Does God indeed answer our prayers?  Why can we
   boldly ask Him for both spiritual and temporal blessings.  That
   is the topic for this week.

        May our Lord grant us faith to trust in Him even when He
   seems to be silent.  Amen.