Matt. 15: 21 – 28

Text:  v. 26: “It is not rigt to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs”
 
Preamble:
 We thank the Medical and Health Personnel Fellowship of our church for the success of the (last) Health Week 2014.  Thank you specifically for the screening exercise for men and women carried out as well as eye tests. Extend our sincere appreciation to your invited guests from Lagos and Lautech. God bless you all.

Introduction:
From our text verse, it is deduced from Jesus statement that healing or health is the rightful bread (food) of children.
This same story is found in Mark 7: 24 – 30
It is about the story of the syrophoenician woman whose daughter was demon-possessed.
The woman got the healing or deliverance for her daughter based on the following principles which I believe are still relevant today if anybody is also requesting Jesus to heal him or her.
The following principles are seen in this story
1.The Principle of Purpose
2.The Principle of Prayer
3.The Principle of Personality
4.The Principle of Proxy
5.Principle of Patience/Resistence
6.Principle of Faith

1.The Principle of Purpose (v. 21 – 22) Anytime Jesus headed for some place, it was for a purpose.  The purpose for which he came to the world was to save, to deliver and to heal.  He said of Zachacus that the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost
Acts 10:38 told us He went about doing good. So naturally the season for withdrawing to the region of Tyre and Sidon would be to carry on His Father’s job
You wonder what made the woman to seek Jesus.  Verse 22 says”…my daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.
The woman knew that her daughter’s situation was not normal, hence she went for solution.  The woman has a purpose in her heart of going after Jesus to heal her.  We are not even sure whether she wanted Jesus to just speak a word or follow her home.  She just came for a purpose to Jesus – to get her daughter healed.  Beloved, it is the purpose of Jesus that we are healthy because only when we are healthy can we carry out His assignment on earth.
Health is God’s purpose for you.  Believe it, claim it, go for it, and receive it.

2.The Principle of Prayer (v. 22)
Note these words:
“Came to him”
“Crying out”
“Lord, son of David”
“Have mercy on me”
Remember the Scripture says that those who would come to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
Remember, Jesus Himself said “come to me, all you, who have heavy-laden, and I will give you rest”
The woman cried out, thereby fulfilling the injunction “to call upon me in the day of trouble and I will answer you”
Then, her cry was “have mercy on me”
Yes, it is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed.  What we need most in life is the Lord’s mercy.  Remember the Publication’s Prayer, “Lord have mercy on me” The first step anybody can take toward God for any bad situation is to cry for God’s mercy.

3.The Principle of Personality:
At this time Jesus was moving out of Jewish territory.  Funny enough, anyone outside Jewish race was regarded less than a human being.  In this case, she was a woman, who to the Jews,  was just a “thing”.
To Jesus, she did not even deserve to be answered.  In v.23, we are told Jesus did not answer  her a word until the disciples came to him and urged him to send the woman away because her crying was a noise to them and that was disturbing.    
Note that Jesus only replied the disciples “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel – the woman did not even deserve to be answered or talked to.
How then true that the blind man of John 9, says God did not   answer the prayer of a sinner.  To Jesus, the woman did not need or deserve the request she’s making.
Note that  today, the barrier is broken but even them like someone has said, “be in the right location so that right allocation can come to you”  Her personality (a Canaanite woman)  does not command the heavens to open on her.
Today by redemption, you have the opportunity of changing your personality.  God said “they who are “not my people” shall be called” my people! That is grace of redemption that brings about right relationship with God which eventually attracts His blessings.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
4.The Principle of Proxy (v.22 & 25)
Note that it was not the demon-possessed daughter that came to Jesus, but the mother. Even when Jesus did not answer her, she knelt down, all on behalf of her daughter.

The woman was ready to do all that was necessary just to get her daughter set free.
There are times that sick people may/will not be able to handle things themselves for their healing/deliverance.
Somebody may have to go for them
Somebody may speak on their behalf
Somebody may have to pray for them
Somebody may have to speak to a doctor on their behalf
Somebody may have to spend and be spent on their behalf
There is the mother’s love here.  Someone may ask “what of the Father?  The Bible didn’t tell us anything about the Father but there is a lesson here.  While the father takes care of everybody the welfare and special care of the daughter rests more on the mothers.  Mothers, may you not fail God on your daughter.  May you go all the way for the wholistic health of your daughter.

5.The Principle of Patience/Persistence (v. 25, 27)
We don’t know how long the conversation lasts.  It is possible for the woman to have thought that it would be easy convincing Jesus to heal her daughter, but she met a brick wall.  When Jesus would not buldge, “she came and knelt before him, “Lord help me”
I could sense tears in her eyes.  She needed what nobody else could give her, so she was going to wait till she got it, no matter how long she must wait.
When she was refused by Jesus’ statement “it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs, to Jesus, this woman was simply a dog – far from being a child and therefore it is an abomination to give her the request.
Even at that, the woman still agreed, “yes, Lord, dogs don’t eat children’s food but what of crumbs”.  That is still enough for the dogs.
It is like the woman is saying “call me dog, just give me what I want.  I don’t care what you call me, all I need is your blessing.
How is it that many people miss out their blessing or miracles? The reason is lack of patience and persistence.  Of course in our world today, there are options.
If God of your church can’t do it, there is another God somewhere.  But remember God is only a Rewarder of them that diligently (patiently but persistently) seek Him.
The woman was patient with Jesus, but was persistent in her request.
Jesus Himself said we should ask till our joy is full.  He said we should ask and not faint or grow weary. Are you tired, are you frustrated, are you discouraged?  Be more patient and persistent.
Remember God is not asleep neither has He forgotten you.  In fact, neither is His hear closed that He can’t hear.  Only check if your life is straight with Him.
The woman’s prayer, patience and persistence were rewarded and to Jesus, that was great faith

6.The Principle of Faith (v.28)
“Woman, you have great faith, your request is granted”.  It is by faith we receive anything from God. The word of Jesus is “only believe”
That is true, great is the woman faith
She believed she would see Jesus, not minding ethnic barrier
She believed He would hear her
She waited until He heard her
She surmounted all her huddles
I wonder what the daughter would feel as the conversation ensued between her mother and Jesus
But her faith paid off
What faith was Jesus commending?
Faith to believe Him
Faith to come to Him
Faith to trust that He could do it
Faith to receive what naturally does not belong to here
Faith to see His provision and resources
Jesus would say “be it to you according to your faith.

Conclusion:
If you are born again, you are a child of God; hence, your right is the bread which is the health of your whole being.
I know you believe
In fact you are not a dog
For you,  Jesus came
For you He shed His blood
Ask, you will receive
If you have asked, ask again try a little more
Refuse to be discouraged
Wait until answer comes
If it is physical sickness or ailment, pray to God
Ask people to pray with you
Seek counsel where necessary
Consult doctor for your physical ailment
Trust Jesus and you will see the glory of God.
Halleluyah!