Matthew 15:22-28 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to HIM, crying out, “LORD, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.” JESUS did not answer a word. So HIS disciples came to HIM and urged HIM, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” The woman came and knelt before HIM, “Lord, help me!” she said. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” “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. [New International Translation]
Summary
During Biblical times the Jewish people considered themselves separate from gentiles* of their times. One group of gentile “outsiders” living around the Jewish people during the time of Christ were the Canaanites. To many Jewish people, the Canaanites were no better than “dogs.” One day when a Canaanite woman came to JESUS crying for mercy on behalf of her sick child, even some of JESUS’ own Jewish disciples were annoyed and urged JESUS to send her away. But, the woman was desperate and determined. She was a mother, and her daughter needed help. Moreover, the woman knew JESUS could help her daughter. She believed in JESUS. She acknowledged HIS authority---she called HIM “LORD.” So, she literally begged JESUS for help.
Initially, JESUS said nothing. When the woman persisted, JESUS pointed out that HIS [immediate] mission was to save the “lost sheep of Israel,” meaning the Jews. But the woman would not be dissuaded; she came and knelt before HIM, in humble submission. She worshipped HIM.
Testing her “faith,” JESUS spoke to the woman and said: “Is it not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.”
Still, the woman did not give up. Acknowledging JESUS’ point, she replied: “Yes LORD.” But with fierce determination, the woman quickly retorts: “But even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” In essence, the woman was acknowledging that she knew that some Jewish people considered Canaanites dogs,” but that “even the dogs” that are part of the “household of faith” could be blessed too!
In so saying, this determined woman was also acknowledging her great faith in the POWER of JESUS! Even though she knew she was not part of the “Jewish family,” entitled to a choice seat at JESUS’ BLESSING TABLE or entitled to a plate or place setting with “a choice morsel,” or “a piece of daily family bread,” she had faith that just “the crumbs” that fell from THE MASTER’s TABLE (given the POWER of JESUS) would be BLESSINGS “enough” to meet her need!
Seeing how great the woman’s faith was, even with the testing of her faith, JESUS grants the woman’s request. JESUS heals her daughter immediately! All because of the faith of a determined woman for just some “crumb BLESSINGS!”
*A gentile is anyone who is not of the Jewish race or religion.
MANAGING EXPECTATIONS
Managing exercise expectations is important. Physical fitness doesn’t occur overnight. If you have never consistently done push-ups, expecting to do 50 push-ups in one setting, may not be a realistic expectation. Going to the gym one or two times and expecting to look like a “fitness model” may also not be a realistic expectation.
One of the ways of managing expectations is to set realistic, measurable targets. Realizing that some exercise targets take longer than other targets. Expect that if you stick with it, you will see results! Expect that if you put in the time, effort and stay motivated, you will see a healthier you! So, set a target. Write it down. Consult your physician or a fitness coach if necessary. See where you are now, then a week from now, then the next week, and the next week. Build an exercise program. Don’t just look for immediate results.
A Few Exercises
Planks with Leg Lifts
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- Lie on your stomach on a mat or rug.
- Rise up and assume a plank position on your forearms and toes.
- Draw in your belly button toward your spine and try to keep your back straight.
- Hold for 5-10 seconds and then lower yourself back to your stomach start position.
- Repeat 5-10 times.
Once you are comfortable doing planks
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- Shift your weight to your right leg and slowly raise your left leg. Hold your gluteal muscles and hold for 5-10 seconds.
- Then lower the left leg to the ground.
- Shift your weight to your left leg and then slowly raise your right leg to repeat the same exercise on the other side.
- Lower yourself to the ground.
- Repeat 5-10 times.
If any of these exercises cause pain, stop. If you have an injury, condition, balance problems, or are concerned about doing any of these exercises, consult your own personal physician for exercises appropriate for you.
GOD’S BLESSINGS
We can learn a lot from Matthew 15:22-28. How often do people wish for what someone else has? How often do people want other people’s blessings? How often do people want GOD to grant all of their wishes and desires?
The determined woman in Matthew 15:22-28 did not ask for Jewish Blessings. She just asked for a “crumb BLESSING.”
The church ancestors used to sing a song called “Anyway You Bless Me LORD, I’ll Be Satisfied.” That song not only attested to the power of GOD, but the wisdom of GOD to satisfy our needs.
Let us pray that GOD does not make us nor America great again, but that GOD just bless America. Let us not pray that GOD gives us what we want, but what we need. Let us pray that we have a mind and heart like JESUS, so that anyway GOD decides to bless us, we will be satisfied. (See Philippians 2:5)
Have faith, pray, be determined, and BE BLESSED.
