“Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
And behold a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying,
«Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed» (Matthew 15:21, 22).
TODAY’S TEXT RELATES the occasion when Jesus leaves the familiar territory of I Galilee, to enter the pagan region of Tyre and Sidon. What powerful motives might the Lord have had for this unusual journey? Was it because of the growing hostility He was encountering from the Jewish religious leaders?
According to The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, «Jesus had a definite purpose not only in leaving Galilee but also in going to the general region Phoenicia.»‘
What were those reasons? Did Jesus know of the desperate situation the Canaanite woman was going through? She was a descendant of an idyllic race. Would the Lord travel to Tyre and Sidon to alleviate her anguish? In The Desire of Ages, we read that «He knew that she was longing to see Him, and He placed Himself in her path. «—ch. 43, p. 400. How interesting! He knew of the hatred the Jews felt for this race, yet He let Himself be found.
We already know the story. First Jesus appears indifferent (Matthew 15:23). Then He seems to reject her, telling her that He had been sent only to the lost sheep of Israel (v. 24). Finally, He tells her, » ‘It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs’ » (v. 26). Why did she insist that He help her? The Desire of Ages gives us the hint. There, we read that in the Saviors words the woman saw that her opportunity had come: «Beneath the apparent refusal of Jesus, she saw a compassion that He could not hide.»—p. 401. In the Savior’s loving face, she discovered that He really wanted to grant her the longed-for blessing. And she was not mistaken, because when she says that » ‘even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table,’ » the Lord replies, » ‘O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.’ And her daughter was healed from that very hour» (w. 27, 28).
Could she ask for more? Her daughter is healed, «and she immediately acknowledges Jesus as the Redeemer.»—Ibid., and the disciples learn that there are other sheep outside the fold which the Good Shepherd is also to seek and find.
Thank You, wonderful Savior, because one blessed day You went out of Your way to place Yourself on my path.
I always thought I had found You, but now I know it was You who found me!
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Taken from: Devotional Readings for Adults 2022
“GREAT IS OUR GOD!”
From: FERNANDO ZABALA
Collaborators: Xiomara Perdomo & Angelica Cuate
