Faith... across the border
Ever wondered just how you'd feel when someone tells you not to do something you've given heart and soul into? OR worse, ever been in such a situation and don't know what to do next? Hurts, doesn't it?The Bible, fortunately for us, records an incident or two where, faith and hope reach beyond negative answers to receive things, that apparently were not meant to be.
There are a lot of things that the Bible records about Jesus. But none seem to be, at first sight, more cruel than this. The Son of God, who came to die for our sins, that you and I might be saved, and boy, what a shocker from the Prince of Peace??
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23Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us."
24He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel."
25The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said.
26He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."
27"Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."
28Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour. >>
How appalling! She first approaches Jesus. But no! Not a word! C'mon, doesn't the Bible tells us, ask and ye shall receive? After all, it was a genuine distress - her beloved daughter, demon-possessed and the only person who could help her would not respond? Isn't there a prayer, a genuine prayer, that you've been praying for, for time and time again, and yet, there hasn't been a yes, or a wait, or even a no? Nothing! No response? And there comes the Tempter, telling you you're such a sinner God, God Himself chose not to respond to your cry? TIMBER! Your faith's been cut down. There's no longer that tall, stately tree flourishing in the forest. There's only a stump, soon to die, with the rest of your faith good for... wait for it... firewood in Satan's cottage!Look at what she did. Read again, and again, till you grasp it. She would not let go! There's something the Bible teaches us here. It is called perseverance. She disturbed the disciples next, with the obvious result - the disciples went to Jesus. How true in our lives, two thousand years after this happened. The Bible says in Romans 8:26 that the Holy Spirit Himself intercedes for us... That's the power of being anointed with the Holy Spirit - He knows what you need, and He prays on your behalf.
But this time, she receives a different answer - an improvement. Jesus responds, but in the negative. A part of her would have been broken. You're probably broken too. Your friends come over just to find you trying to gather up the broken pieces. Your tree is nearly falling. It's tottering. Another swing of the axe, and pop goes the weasel.
Now, here's when faith takes over. She responds in humility. She kneels before Jesus and begs Him to help her. The tamil version reads that she fell prostate before Him. Humbled. Stripped of all pride. Faith gives you the grace to do what your ego wouldn't. And yet...
26He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."
I really thought Jesus' answer to her was cruel - coudn't my Lord understand how that lady was feeling? But then, these are situations that bring out the faith in each one of us. Remember Abraham? The Lord asked him to sacrifice Isaac - nothing else, and remember, Abraham would have gladly parted with everything else. But still, he reached out in faith, and like with this canaanite woman, God reached in.
Think about it. You can almost hear Satan telling her... telling you "He won't look at you - He can't bear to look at you. You're pagan! You're evil! Don't you know He despises everything that is evil? So much for hope... and faith!". She was from a country despised by Jews. From a tribe loathed by God Himself. Maybe, so are you. Maybe, you strike an iron curtain with a softest heart of them all. But again, look at the Canaanite woman. Her faith was strong enough to move Jesus.
Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."
Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
There is no telling what your faith can accomplish, if only you humble yourself in His presence. Jesus isn't stubborn you know. He loves you so very much, and that makes Him push you the very edge of your faith. Remember, I Cor 10:13 says And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. Isn't that great? Forget about not having enough faith in yourself; He trusts you are able... and, shouldn't that be enough for you to grovel at His feet?
posted by Finney @ 3:00 AM
1 Comments:
WOnderful....keep goin!!have improved a lot..The interpretations were so good...
Let not the devil take that seed away that is in ur heart..Let it grow..FLAMING MAPLE
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