THE EFFICACY OF THE CRUMBS
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21 Saliendo Jesús de allí, se fue a la región de Tiro y de Sidón.
22 Entonces una mujer cananea que había salido de aquella región comenzó a gritar y a decirle: —¡Señor, Hijo de David, ten misericordia de mí! Mi hija es gravemente atormentada por un demonio.
23 Pero Jesús no le respondió palabra. Entonces, acercándose sus discípulos, le rogaron diciendo: —Despídela, pues viene gritando detrás de nosotros.
24 Él, respondiendo, dijo: —No soy enviado sino a las ovejas perdidas de la casa de Israel.
25 Entonces ella vino y se postró ante él, diciendo: —¡Señor, socórreme!
26 Respondiendo él, dijo: —No está bien tomar el pan de los hijos y echarlo a los perros.
27 Ella dijo: —Sí, Señor; pero aun los perros comen de las migajas que caen de la mesa de sus amos.
28 Entonces, respondiendo Jesús, dijo: —¡Mujer, grande es tu fe! Hágase contigo como quieres. Y su hija fue sanada desde aquella hora.
Intro
Intro
In this passage, Jesus was going into gentile territory. Tyre and Sidon were important port cities by the Mediterranean, but the Jews considered their habitants “dogs”, completely excluded from the favor of God because of their idolatry, immorality and religious syncretism.
Normally, Jesus would travel from Galilee to Judea (Jerusalem), but this time He chose to do different. The distance from Galilee to Tyre was about 35 miles and 50 miles until Sidon. It was quite a journey!
The distance from Galilee to Tyre was about 35 miles and 50 miles until Sidon. It was quite a journey!
Map of Tyre and Sidon
Map of Tyre and Sidon
When the Israelites took possession of the Land of Canaan, 1400 years before Jesus Christ was even born, through the general Joshua, they didn’t conquer the cities of Tyre and Sidon, which were supposed to be allotted to the tribe of Asher. Today, those cities still exist and are part of the modern Lebanon.
When the Israelites took possession of the Land of Canaan, 1400 years before Jesus Christ was even born, through the general Joshua, they didn’t conquer the cities of Tyre and Sidon, which were supposed to be allotted to the tribe of Asher. Today, those cities still exist and are part of the modern Lebanon.
Throughout His ministry, Jesus commuted frequently from Galilee to Judea (Jerusalem), but this time He chose a different route. The distance from Galilee - where Jesus lived, to Tyre was about 35 miles and 15 more miles until Sidon. 50 miles total was quite a journey! Tyre and Sidon were large Jewish Communities.
Tyre was, for example, was the birthplace of Jezabel, princess that later became a horrible queen in Israel, who killed hundreds of prophets of the Lord.
v. 21 - Jesus “went out” - The greek root of the word “exerchomai” here is the same “went out” used when the Israelites “came out of Egypt”, redeemed.
v. 21 - Jesus “went out” - The greek root of the word “exerchomai” here is the same “went out” used when the Israelites “came out of Egypt”, redeemed.
. That means that Jesus was going To Tyre and Sidon on a mission of Redemption!
. That means that Jesus was going To Tyre and Sidon on a mission of Redemption!
So the Theme for today will be:
So the Theme for today will be:
This is a story of persistence, tenacity, and faith, Jesus tested the woman several times, and each time, she passed the test.
Jesus tested the woman several times, and each time, she passed the test.
Those tests are the theme of our message today.
THE EFFICACY OF THE CRUMBS
THE EFFICACY OF THE CRUMBS
Context:
Context:
As seen on the text, this woman had a daughter who was demon-possessed, and she was desperate for help. “Severely demon-possessed” here means a very unusual, cruel and evil form of demon manifestation. (The Gospels tell us how those manifestations could be terrifying sometimes, as in , when a boy, after delivered by Jesus of a deaf and dumb spirit (right after His transfiguration), was so badly injured that was considered dead.
As seen on the text, this woman had a daughter who was demon-possessed, and she was desperate for help. “Severely demon-possessed” here means a very unusual, cruel and evil form of demon manifestation. (The Gospels tell us how those manifestations could be terrifying sometimes, as in , when a boy, after delivered by Jesus of a deaf and dumb spirit (right after His transfiguration), was so badly injured that was considered dead.
Note:
Note:
“a woman” - never allowed to talk to a Rabi, therefore her approach was culturally unacceptable and historically inappropriate.
“of Canaan” (Caananite) - the worst of the worse for the Jews. The Canaanites were descendants of Ham, son of Noah.
This is a story of persistence, tenacity, and faith, Jesus tested the woman several times, and each time, she passed the test.
Those tests are the theme of our message today, and she went through 4 of them:
1. The test of Silence
1. The test of Silence
21 Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
22 Entonces una mujer cananea que había salido de aquella región comenzó a gritar y a decirle: —¡Señor, Hijo de David, ten misericordia de mí! Mi hija es gravemente atormentada por un demonio.
matt 15.22
matt 15.
Request:
22 Entonces una mujer cananea que había salido de aquella región comenzó a gritar y a decirle: —¡Señor, Hijo de David, ten misericordia de mí! Mi hija es gravemente atormentada por un demonio.
The use of the expression “Son of David” expressed her respect and the recognition that Jesus was the Messiah of Israel.
“Have mercy” - not as we use casually all the time, for any reason, but with a profound respect and hopeful reverence.
While His nation did not understand His mission (), here we have a foreigner confessing publicly her recognition and deity of the Anointed One. Later on the text, that would be translated into worship.
In fact, Jesus quoted Tyre and Sidon in comparison to the cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida in Israel:
21 «¡Ay de ti, Corazín! ¡Ay de ti, Betsaida!, porque si en Tiro y en Sidón se hubieran hecho los milagros que han sido hechos en vosotras, tiempo ha que en vestidos ásperos y ceniza se habrían arrepentido.
matt 11.21
The answer: Silence.
23 Pero Jesús no le respondió palabra. Entonces, acercándose sus discípulos, le rogaron diciendo: —Despídela, pues viene gritando detrás de nosotros.
matt 15.
The test of silence is a very difficult test. It’s when Jesus decides to keep silent about our needs; not indifferent, not far away, but silent.
Charles Spurgeon once said this, when preaching about this woman:
“What if no gleams of joy should visit your spirit? Still believe Him who cannot lie!”
Job had this experience, Jesus also had it, at the cross. In Jesus’ case, David had his shout prophesied 1000 years before:
1 Dios mío, Dios mío, ¿por qué me has desamparado? ¿Por qué estás tan lejos de mi salvación y de las palabras de mi clamor?
2 Dios mío, clamo de día y no respondes; y de noche no hay para mí descanso.
2 «¿Hasta cuándo, Jehová, gritaré sin que tú escuches, y clamaré a causa de la violencia sin que tú salves?
. The prophet Habakkuk, who lived in Jerusalem about 600 years before Jesus, also experienced that feeling:
. The prophet Habakkuk, who lived in Jerusalem about 600 years before Jesus, also experienced that feeling:
2 «¿Hasta cuándo, Jehová, gritaré sin que tú escuches, y clamaré a causa de la violencia sin que tú salves?
Many times God has chosen the silence. The book of 1 Samuel states that “the Word of the Lord was rare in those days”, that is, when the prophet Samuel was just about to be called as a prophet. Also, from the end of the Old Testament to the beginning of the New Testament, God kept a silence of about 400 years!
psalm 22:1-2,2
From the Old Testament to the New Testament, God kept a silence of 400 years!
God can and will use the silent to deal with His people.
And talking about silence...
And talking about silence...
HUMOR ILLUSTRATION: THE SILENT TREATMENT
HUMOR ILLUSTRATION: THE SILENT TREATMENT
A married couple had a quarrel and ended up giving each other the silent treatment. Two days into their mute argument, the man realized he needed his wife’s help. In order to catch a flight to Chicago for a business meeting, he had to get up at 5 a.m.
Not wanting to be the first to break the silence, he wrote on a piece of paper, “Please wake me at 5 a.m.”
The next morning the man woke up only to discover his wife was already out of bed, it was 9 a.m., and his flight had long since departed. He was about to find his wife and demand an answer for her failings when he noticed a piece of paper by the bed. He read, “It’s 5 a.m. Wake up.”
Now, coming back to God’s silence...
Now, coming back to God’s silence...
When Lazarus was sick, Jesus seemed to wait forever to go and help him! He seemed late… He didn’t explain a lot to Mary and Martha, but He knew the why and the time He needed to be silent. While in silent, Jesus is still working!
When Lazarus died, Jesus seemed to wait forever!
He always has a plan!!
6 Cuando oyó, pues, que estaba enfermo, se quedó dos días más en el lugar donde estaba.
john 11
. Nevertheless, As soon as the time was right, Jesus brought his friend Lazarus back to life!
. Nevertheless, As soon as the time was right, Jesus brought his friend Lazarus back to life!
But… We might have some delay in our answer because of spiritual opposition, as well.
But… We might have some delay in our answer because of spiritual opposition, as well.
12 Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.
12 Entonces me dijo: “Daniel, no temas, porque desde el primer día que dispusiste tu corazón a entender y a humillarte en la presencia de tu Dios, fueron oídas tus palabras; y a causa de tus palabras yo he venido.
13 Mas el príncipe del reino de Persia se me opuso durante veintiún días; pero Miguel, uno de los principales príncipes, vino para ayudarme, y quedé allí con los reyes de Persia.
daniel 10:12,13
. But the Canaanite woman was tireless... and so she passed to the second test...
. But the Canaanite woman was tireless... and so she passed to the second test...
Illustration
But the woman insisted... and went to her second test.
2. The test of Exclusivity/Priority
2. The test of Exclusivity/Priority
Request: This time, the disciples got disturbed by her request, and decided to talk to Jesus.
23 Pero Jesús no le respondió palabra. Entonces, acercándose sus discípulos, le rogaron diciendo: —Despídela, pues viene gritando detrás de nosotros.
matt 15.23
It’s important to notice here that the answer of the disciples implied in HELPING her, not dismissing her without compassion.
Jesus’ answer: I was not sent to you.
24 Él, respondiendo, dijo: —No soy enviado sino a las ovejas perdidas de la casa de Israel.
matt 15.24
In , Jesus had sent disciples before and the instructions were to preach in Israel:
5 A estos doce envió Jesús, y les dio instrucciones diciendo: «Por camino de gentiles no vayáis, y en ciudad de samaritanos no entréis,
6 sino id antes a las ovejas perdidas de la casa de Israel.
matt 10tested .....
So many times we hear: This is not for you, it’s for someone else… and we get frustrated.
Yes, the gentiles would be visited for salvation by the Holy Spirit later, after the resurrection of the Lord.
So many times we hear: This is not for you, it’s for someone else… and we get frustrated.
In Jesus explains to another woman, the Samaritan, that salvation came indeed from the Jews!
Now, we have to understand ORDER. God knows everything, and sometimes things will not follow our plan of events. That woman understood that! She understood that even though she was not exclusive, she wasn’t as well being excluded, she was just in a different order in God’s plan.
. And so she goes into her third test...
3. The test of Humility
3. The test of Humility
Request:
25 Entonces ella vino y se postró ante él, diciendo: —¡Señor, socórreme!
The answer:
23 Pero Jesús no le respondió palabra. Entonces, acercándose sus discípulos, le rogaron diciendo: —Despídela, pues viene gritando detrás de nosotros.
26 Respondiendo él, dijo: —No está bien tomar el pan de los hijos y echarlo a los perros.
The answer:
For this verse, it’s very important to understand the cultural background. Jesus did not compare her to a dog. That was a cultural expression, the word in greek is “puppy”, that was also part of the purpose that Jesus already knew He had for her.
Its was not also a question of prejudice, it was a question, again, of order! The children eat first, but the dogs also eat.
24 Él, respondiendo, dijo: —No soy enviado sino a las ovejas perdidas de la casa de Israel.
We also need to understand that the tone of voice of Jesus may have been completely different than what we think. Jesus would never treat anyone as an animal. He was testing her to the limit!
That woman, however, was willing to go to the last resource to get her daughter healed. As a matter of fact, she made the request after she had worshiped Him.
At this point Jesus was almost there, because He cannot take adoration and be inactive!
At this point Jesus was almost there, because He cannot take adoration and be inactive!
So, when we think she is ready to give up… she enters her fourth and final test...
4. The test of Faith
4. The test of Faith
Request:
27 Ella dijo: —Sí, Señor; pero aun los perros comen de las migajas que caen de la mesa de sus amos.
23 Pero Jesús no le respondió palabra. Entonces, acercándose sus discípulos, le rogaron diciendo: —Despídela, pues viene gritando detrás de nosotros.
. ALWAYS say YES to the Lord. No matter what, ALWAYS say YES to the Lord!!
. ALWAYS say YES to the Lord. No matter what, ALWAYS say YES to the Lord!!
. Faith doesn’t dispute the Lord’s ordinances, but faith argues.
. Faith doesn’t dispute the Lord’s ordinances, but faith argues.
“Lord, you came to Sidon, at this moment, I am under the table!”
. Lord, the residue of your grace is enough! I am not a Jew, I don’t know Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but I have YOU!
. Lord, the residue of your grace is enough! I am not a Jew, I don’t know Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but I have YOU!
matt 15.28
The answer:
24 Él, respondiendo, dijo: —No soy enviado sino a las ovejas perdidas de la casa de Israel.
28 Entonces, respondiendo Jesús, dijo: —¡Mujer, grande es tu fe! Hágase contigo como quieres. Y su hija fue sanada desde aquella hora.
. Jesus could no longer test that woman. She had been approved!
. Jesus could no longer test that woman. She had been approved!
. After a compliment from the Master, her daughter was INSTANTLY healed!
. After a compliment from the Master, her daughter was INSTANTLY healed!
FINAL APPLICATIONS
FINAL APPLICATIONS
. Many times the Bible encourages us to never give up. Here we have two examples:
. Many times the Bible encourages us to never give up. Here we have two examples:
Many times the Bible encourages us to never give up
Many times the Bible encourages us to never give up
1 También les refirió Jesús una parábola sobre la necesidad de orar siempre y no desmayar,
2 diciendo: «Había en una ciudad un juez que ni temía a Dios ni respetaba a hombre.
3 Había también en aquella ciudad una viuda, la cual venía a él diciendo: “Hazme justicia de mi adversario”.
4 Él no quiso por algún tiempo; pero después de esto dijo dentro de sí: “Aunque ni temo a Dios ni tengo respeto a hombre,
5 sin embargo, porque esta viuda me es molesta, le haré justicia, no sea que viniendo de continuo me agote la paciencia”».
6 Y dijo el Señor: «Oíd lo que dijo el juez injusto.
7 ¿Y acaso Dios no hará justicia a sus escogidos, que claman a él día y noche? ¿Se tardará en responderles?
8 Os digo que pronto les hará justicia. Pero cuando venga el Hijo del hombre, ¿hallará fe en la tierra?».
7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
luke 18
6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
matt 6.
7 »Pedid, y se os dará; buscad, y hallaréis; llamad, y se os abrirá,
8 porque todo aquel que pide, recibe; y el que busca, halla; y al que llama, se le abrirá.
9 ¿Qué hombre hay de vosotros, que si su hijo le pide pan, le dará una piedra?
10 ¿O si le pide un pescado, le dará una serpiente?
11 Pues si vosotros, siendo malos, sabéis dar buenas cosas a vuestros hijos, ¿cuánto más vuestro Padre que está en los cielos dará buenas cosas a los que le pidan?
. Jesus rewarded the faith and persistence of that woman by healing her daughter by long distance, as He did in with the servant of the centurion. She didn’t have to do anything, but to be persistent, humble, and believe.
. Jesus rewarded the faith and persistence of that woman by healing her daughter by long distance, as He did in with the servant of the centurion. She didn’t have to do anything, but to be persistent, humble, and believe.
. In healing that gentile daughter, He is saying: I am the Savior of the whole world!
. In healing that gentile daughter, He is saying: I am the Savior of the whole world!
. Worthy of Note: Every time that woman talked to Jesus, she did calling Him LORD.
. Worthy of Note: Every time that woman talked to Jesus, she did calling Him LORD.
. God has an ORDER to do things, and His order is always perfect, His time is always on time, and His plans are always the best for us.
. God has an ORDER to do things, and His order is always perfect, His time is always on time, and His plans are always the best for us.
. If you also have a devil to fight, that has been fighting against you or family member, or against anybody you care, come to the Lord in faith today!
. If you also have a devil to fight, that has been fighting against you or family member, or against anybody you care, come to the Lord in faith today!
THERE IS EFFICACY IN THE CRUMBS! As far as our salvation is concerned, even the crumbs of the Kingdom are far more efficient, sufficient and infinitely more abundant than all the banquets of the Devil! Amen!
THERE IS EFFICACY IN THE CRUMBS! As far as our salvation is concerned, even the crumbs of the Kingdom are far more efficient, sufficient and infinitely more abundant than all the banquets of the Devil! Amen!
As far as our salvation,