"But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. (24) But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel."
But Jesus answered her not a word. What a discouragement Was here. Is this the Lord Jesus, who commanded every poor, weary, and heavy laden sinner, to come to him, assuring them, that they should find rest unto their souls. And doth Jesus remain silent, and seemingly inattentive to the earnest cries of this poor creature Oh! ye that know the history of this woman, and behold that the end of the Lord is very pitiful and gracious, learn from hence how to form conclusions, when at any time, there is a silence at the heavenly throne. Jesus both hears, and sees, and knows all your sorrows: yea, himself it is, that measures out your portion of exercise; and is all the while infinitely more disposed, to administer the needed comfort, than you are to ask it. But he waits to be gracious: that is, waits the properest time, which is the best time to answer his purpose, and your real happiness. Jesus, therefore, for the present answers the poor woman not a word. And this gives occasion to the disciples to interest themselves in her behalf. Send her away: she crieth after us. They knew not what was in the Lord's intention. Ministers of Christ, do well to bear the persons, and the wants of the Lord's people in their prayers before the throne; and like their Master, in his High Priestly office, go in before the mercy-seat, as Jesus doth, with their names upon their breast and in their hearts. But here they rest. They can go no further.
I am not sent, saith Jesus, but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Commentators generally agree, that Christ, as.the minister of the Circumcision, meant to say by this, that his commission was only to Israel. And on confirmation when he sent his disciples out to preach, he commanded them not to go in the way of the Gentiles. Matthew 10:5-6. But I am free to confess, that notwithstanding all this, I do not conceive that the Lord Jesus could mean that his commission was limited to the Jewish nation. He came to seek, and save that which was lost. And what was lost, but his spouse, his Church, to whom he betrothed himself, before all worlds? And was not the Gentile Church, as much as the Jewish, included? Read those scriptures, Isaiah 49:1-6; Song of Solomon 6:9; John 10:15-16; Galatians 3:28-29; The Lord's answer to the disciples, was therefore meant, for the further exercise of her faith.