By: Arnie Cole and Michael Ross
Today's passage
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, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith. Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
Reflect
-Do I live as though Jesus loves me fully, no matter my imperfections and hang-ups?
-Do I come to Jesus boldly, despite my flaws and insecurities?
-Am I afraid to approach Jesus for what I really need?
Sometimes we feel like we need to wait until the perfect moment to approach God. We want to wait until we've gotten a handle on our temptations or overcome our sins. We feel ashamed to be in His presence with all our flaws and shortcomings revealed. We think, "If I just work on this problem for a little while, then I'll be ready to pursue my faith." But in waiting, in keeping our sins to ourselves, we miss the whole point. The fact is, Jesus wants us to come to Him when we are most vulnerable, when we are most dependent on Him. In these verses from Matthew we see a Canaanite woman who persistently asks Jesus for His help, despite the fact that she is clearly seen as an outsider by the disciples. But she is bold and unafraid, pressing on in faith, determined to pursue Jesus no matter what. And Jesus answers.
Respond
Ask for Change: Lord, help me approach You boldly and persistently, without shame. Help me lay myself and my sins before You in faith, so that You may heal me
Consider what's real: Today, instead of trying to solve all of your problems yourself, try putting them before God and asking Him for help. As The Message translation of Matthew 7:7 says, "Be direct. Ask for what you need."
Additional verses to consider: Matthew 7:7-11, 1 John 5:14-15
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