Matthew - Week 49

A Shepherd for Israel 

READ 

Matthew 15:23-24 

23 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.” 24 Then Jesus said to the woman, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.” 

In contrast to Jesus who was compassionate, the disciples seemed often to be impatient and uncompassionate. They wanted this woman sent away who was begging for help for her daughter who was possessed by a demon and was being severely tormented. Jesus wanted her to know His primary mission was to the people of Israel who were God’s lost sheep. 

REFLECT 

Have you sometimes been impatient with others asking for help? Do you think Jesus would have been? 

RESPOND 

Although Jesus had compassion, read John 3:35-36 to see at whom God is angry. The God of love will not always withhold His judgment. 

The Persistent Gentile 

READ 

Matthew 15:25-26 

25 But she came and worshiped him, pleading again, “Lord, help me!” 26 Jesus responded, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.” 

The woman would not stop pleading with Jesus to help her daughter. Jesus explained why He resisted and used a term the Jewish people used in referring to Gentiles. He was certainly testing her faith to see what she would say. 

REFLECT 

Have you felt at times the Lord may be testing you to see if you really trust Him or not? How did your experience turn out? 

RESPOND 

With a friend, read about some of the heroes of the faith in Hebrews 11. See specifically verses 17 and 18 about the way God tested Abraham. God does not test us to this extreme, but He tests us at times to reveal to us our limitations. Read John 6:1-13 to see how He tested Philip.  

Great Faith 

READ 

Matthew 15:27-28 

27 She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.” 28 “Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed. 

The woman responded wisely to Jesus’ reference to the Gentile dogs. The woman admitted her unworthiness but referred to the little dogs under the table. This was different than the scavenger dogs usually thought of. Jesus recognized her great faith and granted her wish for her daughter who was instantly healed. 

REFLECT 

Think of this as another time when Jesus healed at a distance by just speaking the word.  

RESPOND 

Consider when Jesus healed at a distance by reading John 4:46-54. Jesus is not limited in His ability.  

He Healed Them All 

READ 

Matthew 15:29-30 

29 Jesus returned to the Sea of Galilee and climbed a hill and sat down. 30 A vast crowd brought to him people who were lame, blind, crippled, those who couldn’t speak, and many others. They laid them before Jesus, and he healed them all. 

This is another occasion when Jesus healed all the ailing in a large crowd. Such events are hard to be understood but they can be believed. To Jesus, these occasions were not an interruption; they were opportunities to minister to the needs of others. He had compassion on the crowds. 

REFLECT 

Think of the times when you have been exhausted from the day’s activities. Do you feel like helping others at that time? Jesus did. 

RESPOND 

Visit with a fellow believer about how to understand an interruption in your schedule may be God’s way of showing you a new opportunity. Read Galatians 6:9-10 as a reminder. See interruptions as opportunities to do good.  

Praise and Amazement 

READ 

Matthew 15:31 

31 The crowd was amazed! Those who hadn’t been able to speak were talking, the crippled were made well, the lame were walking, and the blind could see again! And they praised the God of Israel. 

Imagine how excited everyone was to be healed. One would have thought all would be convinced that Jesus was the promised Messiah, but not the Jewish leaders. These leaders also knew they needed to get rid of Jesus before everyone believed in Him because of His miracles. 

REFLECT 

If you would have been an unbeliever in the time of Jesus, would His miracles have convinced you He was the promised Messiah? Why do you think the religious leaders were not convinced? 

RESPOND 

Read Mark 6:1-3 to see what those in Jesus’ hometown thought when they knew about His miracle-working power. Even those who knew Him well did not believe in Him.