Grace Lutheran Church Devotional: Matthew 15:21–28 (ESV)

Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. ²²And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” ²³But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” ²⁴He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” ²⁵But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” ²⁶And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” ²⁷She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” ²⁸Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

We all see the annoying television commercials that play on our emotions, depicting the worst living conditions on the face of the earth. I’m sorry if that seems cold-hearted, because I believe there are organizations that truly use our gifts as they should. That brings up the question everyone needs to answer: “Would you rather be able to help or ask for help?” Answering that question reminds us it is indeed a privilege to be able to help others in the name of Christ, but we must remember that when we stand before God, all we can do is kneel like the Canaanite mother begging, “Lord, help me!”

However, Jesus’ response is anything but charming: “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs” (26). But she refuses to be denied and confesses, “Yes, Lord, [You are correct, I want a miracle. But Lord, remember, while you feed the children, they spill crumbs. So, be the Son of David, feed Your children, I will be satisfied with a crumb.]” Jesus answers, “O woman, great is your faith (28). [Here is a crumb, your daughter is freed from that oppressive demon.]”

Like the woman’s daughter, we are seriously oppressed by Satan. He does not leave us alone for a moment. We cannot free ourselves from Satan’s grasp or stop his torment. We cannot get rid of our sins or get ourselves to heaven. Because we are sinful, God by every right should answer us with silence and send us away empty. But by begging, “Lord, have mercy on me!” we are coming to the right person. The Son of David does! Our God is a God of grace, whose greatest quality is love. He paid for our sins by giving His life into death on the cross. Jesus took your punishment and redeemed our souls. By His wounds we are healed.

We are beggars. Like the Canaanite woman, we beg from the Son of David, and He gives us everything. He wants to feed every lost and hungry sheep and dog. He wants to heal every demon-oppressed soul. He is a God of unending crumbs. He freely gives us the crumbs of His Word and His Sacraments. The bread that falls from His table into our mouth is His own body. His blood flows from the cross into the cup and through our lips. Our Savior gives us everything! He gives us crumbs to share with our neighbor and the world. Every crumb has the power of God. Every crumb satisfies us, heals us, and feeds us. Every crumb gives us life, life abundantly forever and ever!

Grace Lutheran Church LCMS
825 North 1st West
Cheyenne Wells, CO, 80810-0728
Sunday Service begins at 9:00 AM
Reverend Steven Zandstra