Then Jesus went thence and departed Into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.
The woman of Canaan
I. What made the faith of this woman so remarkable?
1. She had much against her in her original circumstances. In the eye of a Jew she belonged to the most hated of all the Gentile races. There was a frontier line of dislike to cross, far wider than any distance between Tyre and Palestine. Yet it did not keep her from finding her way to the great Teacher of the Jewish nation.
2. She got little countenance from Christ’s disciples. Annoyed at her importunity, and desiring to be freed from the trouble of her presence, they desired Christ to send her away. She could not but feel they would gladly be rid of her, in the way some cast an alms to a persistent beggar. Weaker faith would have felt the chill, and would have desisted. But it is not from them that she seeks an answer. She will take her dismissal from none but Christ Himself.
3. The woman’s faith reaches its greatest trial in the conduct of Christ. The disciples, cold as they are, seem merciful compared with their Master. As she cries, and pours her heart into her prayer, He moves away with silent neglect. That dreadful silence is harder to bear than the sorest word that can be spoken. Still she cried after Him, and at last He spoke. But His words, were they not even harder than His silence? For He did not speak to her, but only of her, and that in such a slighting manner as almost to quench all hope. Still she persists, and at length-as Christ all along intended she should-gains her heart’s desire.
II. What helped her faith to hold on and triumph? We do not speak of the first cause of all, which was Christ’s eye watching her steps, and His hand bearing her up, but of the mediate causes by which her faith was upheld.
1. She had a deep home and heart sorrow, spurring her on to make every exertion. In other means had failed, but something told her there was hope here, and to this she clung. The greater the feeling of the trouble, the more surely will it carry you into the presence of the only Saviour.
2. She had learned to take a very humble view of herself. As humility goes deep down, faith rises up high and strong, for humility furnishes the roots by which faith holds on.
3. Her faith was so strong, because it had hold of another Christ, greater and more merciful than her eyes saw. She looked beyond appearances, and fixed her gaze on things unseen and eternal. It is this which keeps men right, amid adverse surroundings. Thick thunderclouds of Atheism and Pessimism sometimes hang lowering over the earth, and threaten to quench all the higher hope; but God has given to the spirit a power by which it can pass up through them and sing like the lark in the sunshine and the blue sky. It is the work of the Lord Jesus Christ to educate and strengthen it by drawing it, often through much tribulation, to Himself. (J. Ker, D. D.)
Victorious wrestling in prayer
Of all the expressions of Christian life, prayer is the foremost, h precedes and accompanies every other. It is the breathing of the soul, the palpitation of the heart of the new inward man.
I.
(1) Prayer is a necessity. A Christian cannot live without inward intercourse with his God and Saviour. Love cannot exist without unbosoming itself.
(2) It is also a spiritual power. It not only reacts upon ourselves and our temper, it also acts from us outwardly on the course of things; for it both eases our heart, and overcomes God’s.
II. The sense of our want urges us to pray. Knowledge of our sinfulness drives us to God. As the drowning man attaches himself to the saving hand, and does not let go his hold, so the soul attaches itself to the hand of Jesus, and refuses to be shaken off. Then the wrestling prayer for salvation begins, for it is begotten of the feeling of the soul’s misery.
III. What helps us to overcome in the struggle is the perseverance of humble faith. Jesus is the conqueror; but Jesus we seize by faith, and with Him is victory.
1. We must seek Jesus. No rest till we come to Him. No other can help us, or rid us of our sin.
2. We must not let Jesus go. If He goes away, follow Him; if He seems to be stern, become more urgent; if He hides His face, cry the louder; if He will not listen, assail His heart. Every No of Jesus is an Aye in disguise. It is true we deserve none of the things we pray for; but He has enough and to spare for all; and after the children are filled, He can afford to cast the crumbs to the dogs. If we have but the crumbs from His rich table, we shall be satisfied. Even if we are the last in His kingdom, it is sufficient, so that we only have some share of His grace. If it is only one look of His eye; only one glance from Him. If we are not allowed to rest on His breast with John, we shall be satisfied if only with Thomas we are permitted to behold the print of the nails. And when we have become quite exhausted in wrestling with Him, and all our strength is broken; when, so to speak, the hollow of our thigh is out of joint; when we can only cling to Him and declare we will not let Him go except He bless us; even then we shall overcome, and He will declare Himself to be vanquished.
IV. What do we win in the victory? The blessing of Jesus Christ-“Be it unto thee, even as thou wilt.” What a wonderful word. To whom does it apply? To him who first has sacrificed his self-will, and has learnt to say, from the bottom of his heart, “Lord, not as I will, but as Thou wilt.” Then God’s will and man’s are become one. Just before, almost powerless: now, almost almighty. He who thus wins God’s heart, wins everything. A child of God is lord over all things, (C. E. Luthardt.)
The woman of Canaan
This story is the simplest of dramas, having two persons and a chorus.
I. The first person is the heathen woman, and here we note:
(1) Her trouble;
(2) Her faith, which is neither a superstitious credulity, nor a hesitating experiment;
(3) Her reward.
II. The other person is the Lord Jesus. Looking on Him as the model of human duty, and the expression of the Divine nature, we find in this story things amazing and perplexing. What are we to learn from them?
1. The perplexities in the life of Christ are like the perplexities in the government of God.
2. This incident exhibits Christ gazing inexorable, for a time, on human suffering.
3. His apparent unkindness is only apparent.
4. His blessing is already given, while yet the supplicant is unaware of it. (Leonard W. Bacon)
I. That it is highly gratifying to meet with devout persons where we expect not to find them. She was a heathen, not a Jew.
II. That afflictions, both personal and domestic, are powerful incentives to prayer.
III. That in our exercises of devotion we ought to pray for others as; well as for ourselves.
IV. That sincere supplicants may meet with great discouragements in prayer. Delays are not denials. We are apt to value highly that which costs us effort
V. That sincere supplicants are always persevering.
VI. That the prayer of faith must ultimately prevail. (R. Newton.)
Significant silence
The Saviour’s silence was not the result of intellectual poverty. Was not that of one taken with mere self-considerations. Was not caused by indifference.
I. The Saviour’s silence indicates thoughtfulness.
II. Denotes loving estimates.
III. Manifests the greatness of self-control. Effective speech is power over one’s fellows, but silence is power over one’s own self.
IV. And yet the Saviour’s silence may have been sympathetic.
V. Was preparative. What power in a judicious pause. Delay may enhance the preciousness of the gift. (W. Burrows, B. A.)
The Woman of Canaan
I. What we can find in this woman to commend.
1. Strong and wise parental love.
2. Her earnestness.
3. Deep humility.
II. What our Lord himself actually commended in her-“Great is thy faith.” This virtue singled out because all others flow from it.
III. The gracious treatment she received from our Lord.
1. Christ delayed His answer to her petition.
2. He gave her strength to persevere in prayer for it, and made that prayer more humble and earnest.
3. He put on her signal honour.
4. He at last gave her all that she desired.
5. There is often more love towards us in the heart of Christ than we can see in His dealings with us.
6. The prayer of faith is always crowned with success. (C. Bradley.)
I. Who this woman was. She was not an Israelite. The cause of her sorrow was not her own. Her prayer.
II. Her Saviour.
1. His silence when we should not have expected it.
2. He seems to plead that His commission had been exclusively to Israel.
3. He appears to add insult to cruelty.
4. He suffers Himself to be conquered by faith.
II. What does this say to you?
1. You may go to Christ for yourselves.
2. You may go to Christ for your relatives.
3. Jesus can and will do helpless sinners good. (T. Mortimer.)
God’s delays in answering prayer
1. To try our faith.
2. To foster humility.
3. To intensify desire after the blessings we request.
4. To enhance the joy of success when the answer is vouchsafed.
5. Blessed are they that wait for Him. (C. M. Merry.)
The elements of prevailing prayer
I. Sincerity.
II. Humility.
III. Importunity.
IV. Faith. Conclude with a few practical remarks. (J. B. Jeher, D. D.)
Faith triumphing over difficulties
Faith overcomes-
I. Obstacles in our personal circumstances.
II. The concealments of Jesus.
III. The silence of Jesus.
IV. The refusals of Jesus.
V. The reproaches of Jesus. (Anon.)
The woman of Canaan
This is an instance of a wrestling faith; faith wrestling with grievous temptations, but at length obtaining help from God. We ought to consider this
(1) because Christ pronounced it to be great faith;
(2) it instructs us that the life and exercise of faith is not easy, but will meet with great discouragements;
(3) because of the success attending it.
I. The quality of the woman.
II. She was a believer.
III. The greatness and strength of her faith; seen in her trials and temptations; and in her victory over them, by her importunity, humility, and resolved confidence.
The woman’s temptations are four.
I. Christ’s silence. Though a sore temptation, this should not yet weaken our faith; for God’s delay is for His own glory and our good: to enlarge our desires, and put greater fervency into them.
II. The small assistance she had from the disciples.
III. Christ’s seeming to exclude her from His commission.
IV. Christ’s answer implying a contempt of her, or at least a strong reason against her.
The woman’s victory over her temptations.
I. By her importunity.
II. Her humility.
III. Her resolved confidence. All which are the fruits of great faith. (T. Manton.)
The woman of Canaan
I. The trials and difficulties this supplicant’s faith met with.
1. Christ is wholly silent.
2. Christ intimates that He had nothing to do with her.
3. Christ seems to answer with reproach and contempt.
II. How the was discovered in its trials, and worked through all.
1. Though Christ was silent she did not drop, but continued her suit.
2. She passes over the doubt she could not answer, and instead of disputing, adores Him, and prays to Him still.
3. She humbly let pass the (seeming) indignity, and turned that which seemed to make most against her into an argument for her obtaining the mercy she came to Him to beg for.
III. The happy issue of this, how gloriously it was rewarded.
1. Her faith was owned, commended, and admired by the Author of it.
2. The reward of her faith was ample. (Daniel Wilcox.)
Christ and the woman
In judging our Lord’s treatment of this woman-
1. Observe that Christ, while He was upon earth, said nothing and did nothing of Himself.
2. Our Lord, who knew the hearts of men, both saw and esteemed the good disposition of this petitioner, but for a time concealed His kind intentions, being willing to exercise her faith and submission, her patience and perseverance.
The woman’s faith was great-
1. With relation to her religion, and to her country.
2. In comparison with the unbelieving Jews.
3. Considered in itself.
4. Because it stood so severe a trial. (J. Jortin.)
T/he Canaanite’s faith
The position of this woman and the conduct of our Saviour to her.
1. She believed in Jesus before the scene related in this gospel; we distinguish in her conversion that strength of soul which is sure to triumph over all obstacles; all that follows is explained by such a commencement. She was a heathen, and only received God’s Word indirectly, through the prejudices of the Jews. The feeble ray which reached her proved sufficient to guide her feet.
2. The conduct of our Lord corresponds with His manner of acting towards the heathen generally, and with His especial designs of mercy towards her. Our Lord did not so treat this woman merely because she was a heathen; but to make His mercy more conspicuous. While He proves He strengthens her. From the heroes of faith He draws back to exercise their courage.
3. See how this woman wrestles with our Lord. Jesus sought retirement. She anticipated His coming. She was alone in seeking Him. She had to force herself into His presence. But Christ could not escape from the faith of this woman. He allows us to conquer Him. She triumphs over the preventives which our Lord opposed to her. Once in the presence of Jesus she in satisfied. His silence. To try her patience. Only for a time. His speech seems cruel. The Word of God does seem sometimes against the child of God. In the love of Christ she finds refuge against His silence and words; His love is only hidden for a moment under harshness. She could not be defeated because she would not doubt. She triumphs. (Adolphe Monod.)
A word to parents
I. On this occasion Christ had left his own country and people. Perhaps to avoid the hatred of the scribes and Pharisees; or to abate His popularity. We find Him coasting to Tyre and Sidon. Her need was her plea.
II. The leading principles of her faith
1. In this prayer she recognizes the unity of the Deity, “Lord.”
2. What a beautiful trait in her character when she prays, “Have mercy on me;” but we know the chief object of her prayer was her daughter. She identifies herself with her daughter’s misery.
3. She asks for mercy and help (verse 25).
4. Regard Jesus as God able to save or destroy. (F. F. McGlynn, M. A.)
I. The character of the individual.
1. A Greek.
2. A believer in Christ.
II. The cause of her coming.
III. The impediments she met with.
1. A long delay.
2. A mortifying rebuke.
3. An apparent refusal.
4. A silent denial.
Then her conduct:
1. An humble request.
2. A persevering prayer.
3. An humble confession.
4. An affecting reply.
IV. The blessings at last received.
1. The principle our Lord commends is her faith; from faith all other graces spring.
2. He granted her request.
Improvement:
1. The use we should make of affliction.
2. The efficacy of prayer. (The Pulpit.)
The triumph of faith
I. Faith’s approach
1. She came to the right person.
2. In a right spirit.
3. With a right plea
II. Faith’s trial.
1. Christ tried her faith by perfect silence.
2. By seeming indifference.
3. By apparent reproach.
III. Faith’s appeal.
1. She was a devout suppliant.
2. An earnest suppliant.
3. An ingenious suppliant.
IV. Faith’s triumph
1. Christ commends her faith.
2. He grants her request.
3. He healed her daughter. (J. T. Woodhouse.)
The second Sunday in Lent
I. The discouragements which she overcame. These were great, numerous, and increased as she proceeded.
1. The first was the seeming unwillingness of the Saviour to have his retirement disturbed by any one, in any way (Mark 7:24).
2. Her case was itself a very unpromising one. She was a Gentile.
3. The coldness in our Lord’s behaviour, which seemed to disdain the least attention to her-”He answered her not a word.”
4. The conduct of the disciples introduced a still further dissuasion, well calculated to dampen her hope of success.
5. To this was added the still further disheartening answer of the Master, “I am not sent,” etc.
6. Children’s bread was not to be given to the dogs. This was the current spirit of the religion of the times.
II. The means of her victory.
1. She felt her need, and the true character of her affliction.
2. She credited what she had heard of Christ.
3. And believing as she did, she improved her opportunity. Jesus was in the neighbourhood.
4. She confessed her unworthiness.
5. She had a true and powerful faith.
6. And as the result of her faith, she was invincible in her prayers.
III. The lessons which this case teaches.
1. It impressively reminds us of the sorrowful condition of human life.
2. This gospel assures us where our help is.
3. It indicates how to avail ourselves of our great mercies.
4. Precious encouragement does it bring to us. (J. A. Seiss, D. D.)
A woman of Canaan
The movements of mankind are best studied in the lives of individuals.
I. The woman herself. All we know of her origin and feeling is contained in the three terms that are applied to her-Canaanite, Syro-Phoenician a Greek. The first two imply her race. She belonged to that race that the Hebrews called Canaanites-that is, Lowlanders, for the great Phoenician people had settled themselves in the fertile valleys, and on the maritime plains of Palestine, and there in their walled cities had developed in the highest degree an ancient civilization. To this Phoenician stock she belonged. It was divided into two parts-the African and the Syrian stock. She belonged to the Syrian, to the people who inhabited the narrow strip of land between Lebanon and the sea. The last term “Greek,” has of course nothing to do with race, nor does it say anything of her language; but religion. St. Paul divides men into Jew and Greek; the word means heathen. She was one of those that worship Baal and Astarte.
II. In her case observe the workings of sorrow. That from the outset there began to operate compensating results which took away some of the bitterness.
1. This sorrow worked out in a greater love “Have mercy on me; my daughter is vexed.” As if she and her daughter were one. It was a mitigation, and in some degree a compensation, that with her sorrow grew such love.
2. The love and the sorrow together co-operated to produce something higher still. They enlarged the heart, purified her feeling, lifted the thought to immortality; Astarte could no longer fill her heart. She wanted a deity that could be a God of love, not of passion; who would create purity, not crush it. This I gather from the fact that she calls Christ “ Son of David.” She began to think trustfully of Israel’s God. Such were the workings of sorrow in her heart.
III. AN illustration of the great drawings between the Saviour and the soul that needs him. There is something mysterious here. It is not by accident that great mercy and misery meet. What is the secret of that journey to Tyre and Sidon. I suppose the Saviour felt some magnetic need pulling upon His heart, claiming the help of His pity and power. She was fifty miles away; the road was mountainous; in all the journey there and back He cures no other affliction and preaches no sermon; His sole purpose was to minister to this single sufferer. The prophetic soul knows when its Lord is nigh.
IV. The serene result that is reached. She learned the power of prayer. The disciples were changed; educated for their missionary work; they see how rich a thing a human heart is. She came asking a mercy for herself, and went away carrying it to others. (R. Glover.)
The woman of Canaan
I. The great faith of this woman is to be traced in her humble confession.
1. She confesses her misery when imploring the mercy of Christ.
2. She confesses her weakness when imploring the help of Christ.
3. She confesses her unworthiness by admitting the mission of Christ.
II. The great faith of this woman is to be traced in her fervent prayer.
1. Mark her recognition of the character of Christ.
2. Her confidence in the power of Christ,
3. Her earnestness in seeking the aid of Christ.
III. The great faith of this woman is to be discovered in her determined perseverance.
1. Her faith overcame the difficulty of obtaining u personal interview with Christ.
2. It overcame the singularly apparent coldness of Christ.
3. It overcame the limitation of the usual ministrations of Christ. (J. Wonnacott.)
The disciples sending away the Canaanite woman
Amongst the causes which keep souls at a distance from Jesus, we must count the attitude of the disciples of Jesus as one of the most powerful. To the Master we must go; not to the disciples. Let us first dispel all misunderstandings. When I declare that we must look to the Master, not to the disciples, I do not forget that the apostles were enlightened by special revelations and were called to found the Church. I do not oppose their teaching to that of the Master; there is no contradiction between them. But when we leave the apostolic age the situation changes. The Church is placed before Christ. But now let us descend to the sphere of the individual conscience. To lead to Jesus! What a privilege and glory. Fidelity of testimony is necessary to this mission. Some are brought to Christ by words, some by indirect influences, others by a love that nothing wearies. But it is possible to put souls away from Jesus Christ. Between them and Christ there have been our sins, pride, etc.
1. Let us remove the hypocrites; to make of their duplicity an arm against the gospel is an unworthy proceeding. You see their inconsistencies; are you sure you do not exaggerate them? Have you weighed all that Christian faith produces of excellent works? Granting that your complaints are well founded: in what way can they justify your unbelief? They could only do so if you had the fairness to seek their cause in the gospel itself. But van contrast the two. Is it not rather the fidelity that offends you, rather than the faults of Christians?
2. A word to you who believe:
1. Judge yourself as you are seeking what is lacking in others. Saved by grace, shall we not exercise mercy?
2. Let us learn to see in our brethren along with the evil that distresses us, the Rood that we have misunderstood until now.
3. Raise your look to the Master, there van will find peace and certainty. (E. Bersier, D. D.)
The woman of Canaan
I. “this poor woman’s unremitting obstinacy, it may so call it, in prayers. See the power of persevering prayer. They may seem for a while unanswered; they may not seem to work any alteration in our secret hearts.
II. The power of intercession. It is our duty to pray for others.
III. That this poor woman’s reiterated prayers are by our Lord called faith. Great is the faith that prays without ceasing. The sphere of common duty is the sphere also of secret spiritual growth.
IV. Regard again this poor woman thus singled out in all the heathen world to receive the only cure, as a type of the Church of God. The Church, like her, has many sons and daughters grievously vexed with the evil spirit. They are brought to Christ in prayer. (G. Moberly, D. C. L.)
Great faith
How singularly and beautifully appreciative Jesus always was of anything, that was good. His words show accuracy of observation and calculation.
I. There are many striking features in the character of this woman. Her motherly care, energy, humility, pleading; but Christ selected only one. Faith the root of all, Some think we make too much of faith, and place it out of its proper proportion.
II. The elements which went to make the “great faith.” Sorrow seems to have been, if not the cradle, yet the school of her faith. She comes and makes her petition as faith always ought, leaving details with God. The test to which she was put was exceedingly severe. (J. Vaughan, M,A.)
Help from he, heaven
“Lord, help me.” This prayer is suitable-
I. For those who are seeking salvation.
II. For a soul under spiritual darkness.
III. For the believer amidst worldly perplexities.
IV. For the Christian labourer.
V. For the dying saint. (A. O.)
The faith of the Syro-Phoenician woman
I. The extraordinary character of her faith.
1. It was based on the most limited knowledge.
2. It conquered natural prejudice in herself, and the fear of its influence in others.
II. Why Christ so severely tested it.
1. His first object was to expose and rebuke the intense bigotry of the Jews around Him.
2. He wished to draw out and exhibit the full strength of her faith.
Lessons:
1. Christ’s mercy and mission extend to all, however vile and outcast they may be.
2. The true way to derive good from Him is by faith, rather than by knowledge or acts of worship.
3. An encouragement to the utmost tenacity and desperation of faith.
4. An illustration of the way in which appearances may deceive us. God may seem to repulse us, but never does so actually. (Congregational Pulpit.)
This woman of Caanan teaches us to pray
(1) With great humility in that she acknowledges herself to be a dog;
(2) with faith, in that she calls Christ the Son of David, i.e., the Messiah;
(3) with modesty, because she sets before Christ the right of dogs and her own misery; yet does not draw from thence the conclusion that Christ should heal her daughter, but leaves that to Him;
(4) with prudence, in that she takes hold of Christ by His own words, and gently turns His reasoning against Himself, into an argument for obtaining her desire;
(5) with reverence, with religion and devotion, because she made her application on her knees;
(6)with resignation, in that she did not say, “Heal my daughter,” but “Help me,” in the manner that shall seem to Thee best;
(7) with confidence, because, although a Gentile, she had a firm hope that she would be heard by Christ:
(8) with ardour;
(9) with charity, in that she made intercession for her daughter, as if she were anxious for herself, saying, “Help me”;
(10) with constancy and perseverance, in that she persisted when she was twice repulsed, and became yet more earnest in prayer. (Lapide.)
A double miracle
1. Of Faith.
2. Of Healing. Thrice did Christ commend “ great faith,” and in each case outside the fold of Israel. In this case the wonder is not that the woman had great faith, but that she had faith at all. Her faith was great because-
I.
(1) it would stand trial.
(2) It was a wrestling faith. She heard the repulse, yet is neither daunted nor disheartened. She will not take His No. She will even resist His arguments.
(3) It was victorious. Just now Jesus seemed to deny the smallest boon; now He opens His treasures, and bids her help herself.
II. Learn from this that when God delays a boon, He does not necessarily deny it. (J. H. Burn, B. D.)
Under this story there is the touch of nature which binds us all together. Let us learn from it-
1. Perseverance. Few things can be reached by a single stride. All success is the outcome of previous patience; the finest pictures result from multitudinous touches of the brush. Let us keep our faces to the light, and the persevering desire shall at length be gratified.
2. Faith. This is a far larger thing than can be clothed in any form, and the most tenacious profession does not imply that we have that vivid apprehension of the living God which makes us really trust in and rest on Him. Have you faith as well as a creed? Are you daily trusting in the living God amidst all your wants, and sorrows, and sins?
3. Toleration. We are often inclined to look with insular exclusiveness or half-disdainful curiosity on such non-Christians as we come in contact with. Let us remember that Christ took the children’s bread and cast it to dogs. With such an example before us, we dare not disclaim any as too degraded to share with us the “ one flock and one shepherd.” (Harry Jones, M. A.)
Truth, Lord, yet the dogs eat, etc.
The woman’s remark is admirable and delightful. It is full indeed of true theology and real philosophy. She apprehended clearly
(1) that it was right that our Lord’s personal ministry should be devoted to the Jews;
(2) that He bore a benignant relation to the Gentiles-that He was not a sectarian Saviour;
(3) that it would not in the least interfere with His ministry in relation to the Jews, to put forth by the way His blessed energy in behalf of such suppliant Gentiles as herself. She was not asking Him to forsake Palestine, or the Jews. (J. Morison, D. D.)
A woman’s master-stroke
Was not this a master-stroke? She snares Christ in His own words. (Luther.)
An incident like this
Dean Plumptre gives the following story from the Talmud. “There was a famine in the land, and stores of corn were placed under the care of Rabbi Jehudah the Holy, to be distributed only to those who were skilled in the knowledge of the law. And, behold, a man came, Jonathan, the son of Amram, and clamorously asked for his portion. The Rabbi asked him whether he knew the condition, and had fulfilled it, and then the suppliant changed his tone and said, ‘Nay, but feed me as a dog is fed, who eats of the crumbs of the feast,’ and the Rabbi hearkened to his words, and gave him of the corn.”
Asking for crumbs
Laurence Justinian first Patriarch of Venice, resembled this woman in the prayer he offered when at the point of death. “I dare not ask for a seat among the happy spirits who behold the Holy Trinity. Nevertheless, Thy creature asks for some portion of the crumbs of Thy most holy table. It shall be more than enough for me, O, how much mere than enough! If Thou wilt not refuse some little place to this Thy poor servant beneath the feet of the least of Thine elect.”
The, coasts of Tyre and Sidon
This narrative records a visit of Jesus to a region which lay beyond the borders of the Jewish land. It did not lie at any great distance; it was within a day’s ride of Capernaum, and it could be seen from hill-tops just behind Nazareth; yet it was an alien country, and that notable strip of the Mediterranean shore on which Tyre and Sidon were situated had never belonged to the Jewish people. The coast of Tyre and Sidon was fringed by an almost continuous line of buildings; quays, warehouses, and private residences dotted the whole shore-line, and it was therefore no retired spot, but one which swarmed with a large and busy population, with ships sailing on the face of the waters, and the fishermen plying their trade within sight of the shore. The scene was very unlike those which were most associated with our Lord’s presence. He was here surrounded by abundant tokens of vigorous maritime and naval life. Instead of shepherds, sowers, cornfields, scribes, and Pharisees, there were warehouses, docks, ship-building yards, and sailors, amongst which He moved when He departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. (Harry Jones, M. A.)
Spread of truth to foreign lands
Captain Cook found in the South Seas some uninhabited islands, waving with the fruits and flowers peculiar to Europe. No human hand had planted the seeds in that soil. How, then, were they there? A boy in one of our valleys is amusing himself with seeds. A few of them fall from his hand into the tiny stream at his cottage door: they are carried down to the river, which floats them out to sea. They are drifted about for thousands of miles, and at last cast upon the shore of a South Sea island. A bird picks them up, and flies to its nest; but, scared by a hawk, lets them drop. They are covered with the leaves of the forest till spring calls them forth. By and by the wind shakes out the ripe seed, and carries it abroad. Again it falls into the kindly bosom of the earth, and again spring draws it forth. Thus, we may suppose, the deserted island is soon clothed with an European harvest. And thus the seed of God’s Word is often scattered, we cannot tell how. (J. Wells.)
Grievously vexed with a devil
(demoniacal possession):-It is agreed on by all sober interpreters of Scripture that, at this period of the world, God permitted evil spirits to take possession of, and to afflict, individuals to an extent that He did not before and has not since permitted;
(1) to show to all the power and malignity of Satan; and
(2) to exhibit the compassionate kindness of the Saviour, and His power to relieve those thus oppressed Often may we, in a spiritual sense, see such a thing nowadays-a believing, godly parent, having an unbelieving, ungodly child, whose heart is held and governed by a wicked spirit. Often, when there is life in the parent’s soul, there is death in the child’s; light in the parent’s understanding, but darkness and ignorance in the child’s; love in the parent’s heart, but hatred and enmity in the child’s. What a painful and afflicting sight to a parent’s eyes. And the case may be often reversed! (Bishop Gregg.)
Silence
Silence is not refusal. The reasons for Christ’s silence at this time were:
1. In order that by exercising her faith He might strengthen and deepen it.
2. That He might manifest it to others, and so give her as an example to those who stood by, as well as to future generations.
3. That He might not offer an additional stumbling-block to the Jews, to whom the calling-in of the Gentiles was an abomination. (W. Denton.)
Not because He was unwilling to speak, but because there are occasions on which silence is more eloquent and stirring to the thought than speech. Not infrequently silence is golden, while speech is “silvern;” and this was one such occasion. (J. Morison, D. D.)
The lost sheep of the house of Israel
It was necessary that there should be some limits to our Lord’s personal ministry; and it was wise that these limits should be fixed at the circumference of the circle of Israel. To have spread out His ministry farther, during the brief period of His terrestrial career, would simply have been to have thinned out and weakened His influence. What might have been gained extensively would have been lost intensively. It was of primary moment that He should make sure of a foothold, on which He might plant His moral machinery for moving the world. That foothold He did secure in the house of Israel, the household of Israel, the family of Israel; for the whole nation was but a developed family circle. (J. Morison, D. D.)
Moral persistence
To sink under the burden argueth weakness, but it is strength of faith to wrestle through it. We read of Pherecides, a Grecian, in a naval fight between his nation and Xerxes, that he held a boat in which the Persians were fighting, first with his right arm; when that was cut off, with his left; when that was cut off, with his teeth; and would not let go his holdfast but with his life. (T. Manton.)
The use of delay
Some old writer thus quaintly explains the case. “Christ’s love is wise. There is an art in His strange delays, which make us love-sick. We cheapen what is easily got, and under-rate anything that is at our elbow; but delays heighten and raise the market value of Christ’s blessings. He wishes to make our faith stronger, and His trials are for the triumph of our faith. He did as we do when we hold toys dangling before our children, that we may make them desire and enjoy them more. He acts as we do with musicians at the door; for when they please us, we do not give them their penny at once, that we may hear their music longer.” (J. Wells.)
The kindness of refusals
Monica, the mother of Augustine, prayed that her godless boy might not go to Rome, for she feared that Rome would be his ruin. God did not grant that request, because He had something better in store for her. Augustine went to Rome, and was converted there. (J. Wells.)
Stern truths
This was the most cutting of all-telling her in plain terms that she had no more right to get what she asked, than the dogs have to get the children’s bread; and also intimating very plainly that she was no better than a dog. Still she was not discouraged: even this did not put her off. If she had not possessed great faith, how would she have acted? Just as many at the present day do when they hear a plain sermon (as they call it); when they hear in plain words what the Bible says of human nature; they don’t like that; they can’t be so very bad as all that; they don’t approve of what that preacher says at all, and so they go to some other place where they will hear more palatable language about the kindness of man-his good nature, generosity, noblemindedness, and so forth; but they who are of the truth will not listen to this, for they know it to be a lie, and the children of the truth can take no pleasure in a lie. People think it is very bad to hear themselves called “ great sinners; “ they think very strangely of a man if he tells them they are poor, wretched, miserable, blind, and naked; but, I suppose, if they heard the term “ dog” applied to them as Christ applied it to this woman here, they would be up in arms at once, openly scout at so unwarrantable an affront, and take good care never to go near that preacher again. So did not this woman; she had faith-strong faith; she acknowledges the aptness of the illustration, and humbly accepts Christ’s estimate of her as the right one. (Bishop Gregg.)
The dogs
There was some reason lying at the base of the designation. The heathens around were, in the mass, exceedingly unclean and ferocious: barking too, incessantly, at the true God and true godliness. But our Lord, in this case, refers not to the wild, fierce, filthy dogs, belonging to nobody, that prowl about Oriental cities; but to little pet dogs, in which children are interested, and with which they play. Most probably there might be one or more of them, within sight, in the company of some children. (J. Morison, D. D.)
Great thoughts of Christ
The Syro-Phoenician woman gained comfort in her misery by thinking great thoughts of Christ. The Master had talked about the children’s bread. “Now,” argued she, “since Thou art the Master of the table of grace, I know that Thou art a generous housekeeper, and there is sure to be abundance of bread on Thy table. There will be such an abundance for the children that there will be crumbs to throw on the floor for the dogs, and the children will fare none the worse because the dogs are fed.” She thought Him one who kept so good a table that all she needed would only be a crumb in comparison. Yet remember what she wanted was to have the devil cast out of her daughter. It was a very great thing to her, but she had such a high esteem of Christ, that she said, “It is nothing for him, it is but a crumb for Christ to give.” This is the royal road to comfort. Great thoughts of your sin alone will drive you to despair; but great thoughts of Christ will pilot you into the haven of peace. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
Perseverance of faith
An unbelieving heart may have some flash of spirit and resolution, but it wants free mettle, and will be sure to jade in a long journey. Faith will throw in the net of prayer again and again, as long as God commands and the promise encourageth. The greyhound hunts by sight, and when he cannot see his game he gives over running; but the true hound by scent, he hunts over hedge and ditch; though he sees not the hare, he pursues all the day long. Thus an unbelieving heart may be drawn out upon some visible probabilities and sensible hopes of a coming mercy to pray and exercise a little faith, but when these are out of sight, his heart fails him; but faith keeps the scent of the promise, and gives not over the chase. (Salter.)
Faith gives prevalency to prayer.
In the several precedents of praying saints upon Scripture record you may see how the spirit of prayer ebbed and flowed, fell and rose, as their faith was up and dawn … This made the woman of Canaan so invincibly importunate; let Christ frown and chide, deny and rebuke her, she yet makes her approaches nearer and nearer, gathering arguments from His very denials, as if a soldier should shoot his enemy’s bullets back upon him again; and Christ tells us what kept up her spirit undaunted-“O woman, great is thy faith.” (Gurnall.)
Children’s bread given to dogs
1. When her case was come to such a point, she heard of the Lord Jesus; and what she heard she acted upon. They told her that He was a great Healer of the sick, and able to cast out devils. She was not content with that information, but she set to work at once to try its value.
2. This woman was most desperately resolved. She had made up her mind, I believe, that she would never go back to the place from whence she came till she had received the blessing.
3. I may not leave this picture without observing that this woman triumphantly endured a trial very common among seeking souls. Here is a woman who conquered Christ; let us go by her rule and we will conquer Christ too by His own grace.
I. In the first place, observe that she admits the accusation brought against her. Jesus called her a dog, and she meekly said, “Truth. Lord.” Never play into the devil’s hands by excusing sinners in their sins. The woman in this case, if it had been a sound way of getting comfort, would have argued, “.No, Lord, I am not a dog; I may not be all I ought to be, but I am not a dog at any rate; I am a human being. Thou speakest too sharply; good Master, do not be unjust.” Instead of that she admits the whole. This showed that she was in a right state of mind, since she admitted in its blackest, heaviest meaning whatever the Saviour might choose to say against her. By night, the glow-worm is bright like a star, and rotten touchwood glistens like molten gold; by the light of day the glow-worm is a miserable insect, and the rotten wood is decay, and nothing more. So with us; until the light comes into us we count ourselves good, but when heaven’s light shines our heart is discovered to be rottenness, corruption, and decay. Do not whisper in the mourner’s ear that it is not so, and do not delude yourself into the belief that it is not so.
II. But notice, in the second place, see adheres to Christ notwithstanding. Did you notice the force of what she said? “Truth, Lord, yet the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from”-where? “From their Master’s table.”
III. Furthermore, the woman’s great master weapon, the needle gun which she used in her battle, was this, she had learned the art of getting comfort out of her miseries. Jesus called her a dog. “Yes,” said she, “but then dogs get the crumbs.” She could see a silver lining to the black cloud. If I deserved anything there would be the less room for mercy, for something would be due to me as a matter of justice, but as I am a sheer mass of undeservingness, there is room for the Lord to reveal the aboundings of His grace. There is no room for a man to be generous amongst yonder splendid mansions in Belgravia. Suppose a man had thousands of pounds in his pocket, and desired to give it away in charity, he would be terribly hampered amid princely palaces. If he were to knock at the doors of those great houses, and say he wanted an opportunity of being charitable, powdered footmen would slam the door in his face, and tell him to be gone with his impudence. But come along with me; let us wander down the mews, all among the dunghills, and get away into back alleys, where crowds of ragged children are playing amid filth and squalor, where all the people are miserably poor, and where cholera is festering. Now, sir, down with your money-bags; here is plenty of room for your charity; now you may put both your hands into your pocket, and not fear that anybody will refuse you. You may spend your money right and left now with ease and satisfaction. When the God of mercy comes down to distribute mercy, He cannot give it to those who do not want it; but you need forgiveness, for you are full of sin, and you are just the person likely to receive it. “Ah!” saith one, “I am so sick at heart; I cannot believe, I cannot pray.” If I saw the doctor’s brougham driving along at a great rate through the streets, I should be sure that he was not coming to my house, for I do not require him; but if I had to guess where he was going, I should conclude that he was hastening to some sick or dying person. The Lord Jesus is the Physician of souls. Do try now, thus to find hope in the very hopelessness of thy condition, in whatever aspect that hopelessness may come to thee. The Bible says that thou art dead in sin, conclude then that there is space for Jesus to come, since He is the Resurrection and the Life. Your ruin is your argument for mercy; your poverty is your plea for heavenly alms; and your need is your motive for heavenly goodness. Go as you are, and let your miseries plead for you.
IV. Let me, in the fourth place, notice the way in which the woman gained comfort. She thought great thoughts of Christ. It was a very great thing to her-but she had a high esteem of Christ. She said, “It is nothing to Him-it is but a crumb for Christ to give.”
V. And so you see, in the last place, she won the victory. She had, first of all, overcome herself. She had conquered in another fight before she wrestled with the Saviour-and that with her own soul. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
The little dogs
I. The mouth of faith can never be closed.
1. It cannot be closed on account of the closed ear and mouth of Christ.
2. Not by the conduct of the disciples.
3. Not by exclusive doctrine which appeared to confine the blessing to a favoured few.
4. Not by a sense of admitted unworthiness.
5. -Not by the darkest and most depressing influences.
II. Faith never disputes with the Lord.
1. Faith assents to all the Lord says-“Truth, Lord.”
2. It worships.
3. She did not suggest that any alteration should be made for her.
III. Faith argues.
1. She argued from her hopeful position-“I am a dog, but Thou hast come all the way to Sidon,-I am under Thy table.”
2. Her next plea was her encouraging relationship-“Master’s table.”
3. She pleads her association with the children.
4. She pleads the abundance of the provision
5. She looked at things from Christ’s point of view.
IV. Faith wins her suit.
1. Her faith won a commendation for itself.
2. She gained her desire.
This woman is a lesson to all who imagine themselves outside the pale of salvation; an example to all whose efforts after salvation have been apparently repulsed; a lesson to every intercessor. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
Our Lord had a very quick eye for spying faith
If the jewel was lying in the mire His eye caught its glitter, if there was a choice ear of wheat among the thorns He failed not to perceive it. Faith has a strong attraction for the Lord Jesus; at the sight of it “the king is held in the galleries” and cries “thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes, with one chain of thy neck.” The Lord Jesus was charmed with the fair jewel of this woman’s faith, and watching it and delighting in it He resolved to turn it round and set it in other lights, that the various facets of this priceless diamond might each one flash its brilliance and delight His soul. Therefore He tried her faith by His silence, and by His discouraging replies that He might see its strength; but He was all the while delighting in it, and secretly sustaining it, and when He had sufficiently tried it, He brought it forth as gold, and set His own royal mark upon it in these memorable words, “O woman, great is thy faith; be it unto thee even as thou wilt.” (C. H. Spurgeon)
The elements of prevailing prayer
1. Sincerity.
2. Humility.
3. Importunity.
4. Faith. (J. B. Jeter, D. D.)
The greatness of a woman’s faith
1. It was exercised by a woman.
2. It was a mother’s faith.
3. It had an aim.
4. It disregarded apparent partiality.
5. It was not discouraged by apparent delay.
6. It was devoid of selfishness.
7. It gathered strength from its exercise.
8. It won. (B. J. Hoadley)
.
The trial and triumph of faith
Thee parts of the miracle are-
I. The place where it was wrought.
II. The parties on whom.
III. The impulsive cause.
IV. The miracle itself, wrought by the woman’s faith: in which we have-
1. Christ’s heightening of her faith.
2. The granting of her desire.
3. The measure of Christ’s bounty-“As thou wilt.”
4. The healing of her daughter. (S. Rutherford.)
“She crieth after us.”
1. Christ’s love is liberal, but yet it must be sued.
2. Christ’s love is wise. He holdeth us knocking till our desire be love-sick for Him.
3. His love must not only lead the heart, but also draw. Violence in love is most taking.
Christ looking beyond His temporary limits
Christ doth but draw aside a lap of the curtain of separation, and look through to one believing heathen: the King openeth one little window, and holdeth out His face, in one glimpse, to the woman of Canaan. (S. Rutherford.)
Grace working on unpromising material
Christ, then, can make and frame a fair heaven out of an ugly hell and out of the knottiest timber He can make vessels of mercy, for service in the high palace of glory. (S. Rutherford.)
Prayer strengthened by adversity
Also, the prayers of the saints in prosperity are but summer prayers, slow, lazy, and alas! too formal. In trouble, they rain out prayers, or cast them out in co-natural violence, as a fountain doth cast out waters. (S. Rutherford.)
Determination in prayer
Grace, grace now is the only oil to our wheels. Christ hath taken the castle, both in-works and out-works, when He hath taken the will, the proudest enemy that Christ hath out of hell. (S. Rutherford.)
A right knowledge of satanic torments will lead to Christ for relief
It were good we knew our own misery: the man resolveth a prisoner has a sweet life, who loveth his own chains, because made of gold, and hateth them not because chains; and falleth to paint the walls of his dungeon, and to put up hangings in his prison, and will but over-gild with gold his iron fetters. Oh! are we not in love with our own dungeon of sin? And do we not bear a kind love to our father, the devil? We bring in provision for the flesh, and nourish the old man, as old as since Adam first sinned. Alas ‘. we never saw our father in the face: we love the devil, as the devil fallen in sin; but we see him not as a devil, but only under the embroideries of golden and silken temptations; we sow to the flesh; we bring in our crop to the devil, but we know not our landlord; and because sense and flesh are nearer to us than God, we desire more the liberties of state, free commerce, and peace with the king, than Christ’s liberties, the power and purity of the gospel, that we may negotiate with Heaven and have peace with God. (S. Rutherford.)
Good to be near Christ
The other thing observable is that it is good to be near the place where Christ is. It was an advantage, that the woman dwelt upon the borders of the land where Christ was. It is good for the poor to be a neigh-hour beside the rich; and for the thirsty to take up house, and dwell at the fountain; and for the sick to border with the physician. Oh I love the ground that Christ walketh on. To be born in Sion is an honour, “Because there the Lord dwelleth” (Psalms 87:6.) It is a blessing to hear and see Christ (Matthew 13:16). Christ knoweth them well whom He chooseth: grace is a rare piece of the choice and the flower of the love of heaven: there be many common stones; not many pearls, not many diamonds and sapphires. (S. Rutherford.)
Christ hears prayer even if He does not answer
It is said, He answered her not a word: but it is not said, He beard not one word: these two differ much. Christ often heareth when He doth not answer; His not answering is an answer, and speaks thus, Pray on, go on, and cry; for the Lord holdeth His door fast bolted, not to keep out, but that you may knock and knock. Prayer is to God, worship; to us, often, it is but a servant upon mere necessity sent on a business. The father will cause his child say over again, what he once heard him say, because he delighteth to hear him speak. (S. Rutherford.)
Faith strengthened by importunate prayer
Wrestling addeth strength to arms and body; praying, and praying again, strengtheneth faith; customary running lengtheneth the breath. (S. Rutherford.)
Tears have a tongue
(Psalms 6:8):-Tears have a tongue, and grammar, and language, that our Father knoweth. Babes have no prayers for the breast, but, weeping; the mother can read hunger in weeping. (S. Rutherford.)
Prayer deeper than words
(2 Peter 3:10):-Love and longing for Christ have eagle’s wings; and love flieth, when words do but creep as a snail.
Fervour in prayer
Though God hear prayer, only as prayer offered in Christ, not because rely fervent; yet fervour is a heavenly ingredient in prayer. An arrow drawn with full strength hath a speedier issue; therefore, the prayers of the saints are expressed by crying in Scripture (Psalms 22:2). (S. Rutherford)
Utilizing rich spiritual influences
It shall be useful then for the saints, when the Spirit cometh in his stirrings and impetuous acts, to co-operate with him, and to answer his wind-blowing. It is good to hoist up sail, and make out, when a fair wind and a strong tide calleth. Sometimes grace maketh the heart as a hot iron: it is good then to smite with the hammer. When your spirit is docile, and there cometh a gale of Christ’s sweet west wind, and rusheth in with a warmness of heart, in a praying disposition to retire to a corner, and pour out the soul before the Lord: as we are to take Christ at His word, so are we to take Christ’s Spirit at His work. (S. Rutherford.)
“My daughter”
Children.
1. So to hold, as we are willingly to let go; love them as creatures only: often the child is the mother’s daughter, and the mother’s god.
2. We are to strive to have them freed from under the power of the devil, as this woman doth; for they come into the world fuel for hell. Parents make more account, all their life, to make gold, rather than grace, their children’s patrimony and legacy.
3. Look at them as May flowers; as born to come and appear for a space in the element of death: so they sport, laugh, run, eat, drink, and glisten like comets in the air, or flying meteors in the sphere of the clouds, and often go down to the grave before their parents.
4. Beware of selfishness, for children are ourself, and their sins white and innocent sins to us. Eli honoured his sons more than God, and God put a mark of wrath on his house. (S. Rutherford.)
The mutual attractions between Jesus and the soul
These drawings, brethren, of Jesus and the souls of men so mutual, so strong, how wonderful are they ‘. Men are drawn to Him not because preachers beguile them, not because one generation misleads another, they are drawn by laws of gravitation; and Kepler’s laws hold good of souls as well as they do of planets. Christ simply attracts in the proportion to His mass, and it is His massive being, His wealth of help, His power of pity, His infinite wisdom, His store of tenderness, that has in all ages, and will in all ages, attract the hearts of men. And the hearts of men attract Him. (R. Glover.)
All things possible to faith
As we “ will,” so faith obtains the good. “It can be done!” says faith. “It shall be done!” says the will. And it is done I The whole history of the world, in all its divisions, may be quoted in proof of this axiom. Space can be travelled by steam, says faith. Man has a will that it should be so. Space says, “Be it unto thee as thou wilt: “and it is done. The Atlantic Ocean can be crossed in seven days, says faith. The will of man says, It shall be so; and it is so. Thought can be conveyed as quickly a thousand miles as one. It is willed to be so, and it is done. The Alps can be tunnelled for a railway, says faith. I will it to be done says the engineer; and the Alps say, “Be it unto thee even as thou wilt.” Thus all things apparently impossible to reason become palpable facts to faith in its persistent exercises. (J. Bate.)
Christ cannot be hid
1. In His cause and truth.
2. Believers cannot hide a good or bad condition in the soul.
3. The joy of Christ’s presence cannot be hid.
4. Grace in a sincere professor, and Christ, cannot be hid. (S. Rutherford.)
“Hearing of Him.” What had she heard?
I. That Jesus was the Son of God, the Messiah of Israel and could and was willing to heal
1. Hearing of Christ drew her to Him.
2. It is good to border with Christ, and to be near hand to Him.
II. None can come to Christ except they hear a good report of Him.
III. Many open their ears to Christ, but they hear not; they want a spiritual faculty of observing.
IV. Many put Christ in an ear without a bottom, as leaking and running out vessels. (S. Rutherford.)
Her prayer
1. The manner of it-“She cried.”
2. The party to whom she prayeth-“O Lord, Thou Son of David.”
3. The petition-“Have mercy upon me.”
4. The reason-“For my daughter,” etc. (S. Rutherford.)
The woman of Canaan
1. The naturalness of faith (trust).
2. The connection of faith and works. She believed (trusted) to have help from Christ, and this led her to use the means. So faith in everything must move to works to realize its end.
3. The wisdom of using an opportunity. Jesus went into the coast of Tyre and Sidon. The woman knew of it, and she used the opportunity for the good of her daughter.
4. The force of sympathy. As a mother, she felt for her daughter. Hence her action. If we feel for others-sinners, heathens, afflicted ones, etc.,-we are moved to help them, or seek help for them, according to our feelings.
5. The dignity of humiliation. How grand this woman appears as she says, “Truth, Lord,” etc.
6. The power of persistence in a good cause and with a good object. The woman would have no denial.
7. The nature of fervent, powerful prayer. She came to Him and worshipped Him, and said, “Lord, help me.”
8. The victory of faith-“O woman,” etc. It was no grief, but a joy, to Christ to yield the victory to this woman’s faith. (J. Bate.)