The earthly ministry of Jesus Christ of Nazareth crossed many of the man-made barriers. Many religious barriers had been erected by the religious leaders. Cultural barriers were high. The fact that our Lord did not “recognize” these barriers became a “bone of contention” between himself and the self-proclaimed “authorities.” Needs exist in all areas of society, and in each segment of these groups. None of these needs are ignored by the son of God.

All of the ministry of our master did not occur within the geographic borders of His homeland. On one particular occasion, “Jesus went thence and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.” Matthew 15:21. His attempt at solitude was not successful. “And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.” Matthew 15:22.

Matthew recorded the fact that this was a woman of “Canaan.” This information would get the attention of the Jewish readers. In the history of their nation, the Jewish people knew of the declaration of destruction that had been pronounced upon the Canaanites and other nations that had occupied the territory known as the Promised Land. Deuteronomy 7:1. Since these nations were not completely destroyed, they had become “pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides.” Numbers 33:55; Judges 2:3; see also Joshua 23:13. Since these people had not been driven out of this Land of Promise, this fact did not mean that God would not listen to the cries of the individual who would come to Him. Isaiah 9:2; 42:6, 7; 49:6.

As Matthew recorded this scene, the picture seems to be one of indifference, to the point of her being ignored by our Lord — “But he answered her not a word.” Matthew 15:23a. As the disciples viewed this situation, there seemed to have been an attitude, reflecting their Jewish upbringing. “And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.” Matthew 15:23b. It would seem that this woman had caused quite a stir among the people present.

The answer given by our Master could be interpreted as being quite prejudiced against this woman, due to her background — “But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Matthew 15:24. This woman was near enough to hear these words. This declaration did not totally discourage this desperate mother. “Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord help me.” Matthew 15:25. There are four different words used in the New Testament that can be translated by our word “help.” The word used by this woman paints the word picture of coming to the aid of some desperate individual. Thus her cry was not, simply, desiring to be seen or heard. Her heart-cry shows that she had “reached the end of her rope.” Again, the words of our Lord might be seen as indifference or even rejection — “It is not meet to take the children’s bread and to cast it to dogs.” Matthew 15:26.

As we read this account — and others — it is sometimes easy to forget the information given to us by the Apostle John, as he wrote the gospel that bears his name. “But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.” John 2:24, 25.

The master recognized the intent of the “heart” of this distraught mother. She responded to the true word of our Lord, relating to the “children’s bread” — “And she said, Truth Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master’s table.” Matthew 15:27.

Jesus was aware of the response that came from this heart that was burdened by this “impossible problem.” “Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt” Matthew 15:28a. Mark recorded, “For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.” Mark 7:29.

This divine declaration was sufficient for this woman. Matthew recorded that “Her daughter was made whole from that very hour.” Matthew 15:28b. Mark wrote that “when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.” Mark 7:30. Since this fact was important enough to be recorded, one can conclude that this gift of rest must have come in answer to the cry of this mother.

There are personal lessons that can be applied to the lives of all of us. Our need might not be identical to that of this desperate woman, yet major needs arise in the life of every person. It is, sometimes, easier for us to turn to any source, before we recognize that which is provided by our Heavenly Father — the Creator of the universe. In our own desperation, we will seek help from unlikely sources that are visible at the moment. When was the last time you turned directly to God with the problems that plague you day-by-day? The help that was available to this “spiritual outcast” is available to us, today.

As the Apostle Paul wrote his letter to the church at Ephesus — a Gentile church — he said “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in this world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were by the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:12, 13.

Yes, we can now “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16. Come today.

Rev. James C. Temples’ Sunday School Lesson has appeared in the Early County News each week since 1967. A native of Early County, Rev. Temples taught in public schools 32 years and 10 years at Southeastern College of Assemblies of God, in Lakeland, Florida. He also served as pastor and evangelist during those years. He can be contacted at P.O. Box 1569, Auburndale, Fla. 33823; 863-965-0157. Email: jctjet@aol.com.