Newark Post

Sunday School Lesson
By R. S. Holmes
Lesson XI.
June 12, 1910.
THE CANAANITISH WOMAN
Matt. 15: 21-28.
Golden Text:
"Great is thy faith; be it done unto thee even as thou wilt."

Between Lessons X and XI Jesus was at home in Capernaum. Pharisees from Jerusalem sought him and engaged him in discussion over ceremonial acts. The visit afforded Jesus to declare an entirely new doctrine concerning things clean and unclean. Food defiles no one. Real defilement comes from the heart. In all probability the utterance caused excitement and created renewed hostility. Perhaps this was the occasion of his departure into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.

Vs. 21. Once before in discussing the movements of Jesus, in Lesson 9, we have spoken of the journey into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. The reason was because the second miracle, of feeding four thousand, was coupled with the former one of feeding five thousand, and the second came after going to the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.

Vs. 22. "A woman of Canaan."
Heathen--Gentile. No salvation for her. She had no rights which a son of Abraham was bound to respect. Canaan was the old name of the whole land. Phenicians took possession of the northwestern portion. The name Syria appears here too. She is elsewhere called a Syro-Phenician: that is a Syrian Phenician in contrast to the Libyan Phenicians who lived in Africa. They were an amalgamated people, and the Jews especially despised them. She was a most unprepossessing person as far as birth and race were concerned.

She knew all about Jesus. In some way she had learned how to address him. She may not have believed in him, except only that he could work miracles. She wanted that power displayed for her daughter. It was the same old complaint, an insane or demon-possessed daughter. Her cry was "Have mercy on me."

Vs. 23. He played the part of true Jew. He paid no attention her. That must have been hard for him. His companions must have been stirred by the cry. That was surely hard for her. Was she alone of all the many who had made such appeals to be denied?

Then the twelve came with their complaint. "She crieth after us."
She annoys us. We do not like to have this refuse of the world disturbing us.
"Send her away."

How little these men knew Jesus. How little did they comprehend the power of that mother's persistent love.

Vs. 24. He answered and said, "I am not sent, etc." To whom did he say this? Was it to his twelve? Why did he say that to them? Did their request, "Send her away," mean send her away satisfied? Did they mean heal her daughter and let her go? Perhaps so. At least he answered as if he so understood them.
"I cannot heal her daughter. I am not sent to such as she. I am sent only to the lost of Israel."

Vs. 25. She probably overheard. She drew near to him with a very earnest and simple appeal.
"Lord help me." It was a short prayer. It was better than a long one. It made Jesus understand just what she wanted. It was effective, too, in a way.

Vs. 26. He took notice of her now. He answered nothing at first. Now he tells her she is only a dog--an uncircumcised outsider. She was no child of the Covenant. The bread of the children must not be wasted on such as she was. It was a truly Jewish answer. I can hardly conceive of Jesus saying it. It was utterly unlike him.

Vs. 27. Her answer was a wonder. She did not become angry. She was too miserable to be angry. She would not endanger her plea by showing any wrath. Her wits were quick. She saw her opportunity.
"Dog, am I? Yes, from the standpoint of a Jew. But dogs must eat. Yea, dogs do eat of the crumbs that fall from their masters' tables. You are my Master. Give the bread to the children. But let me have a crumb, just one crumb from the floor."

She had tact and grace. We would not enjoy being called a dog. She did not, probably, but what she wanted was far too great to be put off by what she did not like.

Vs. 28. The answer conquered. He had tested her completely. She was equal to the test. Great faith is the greatest power in the world. The lesson of absolute trust in God is here taught in loud tones. The woman held on for just one thing. That thing was given at last.
"Thou shalt have exactly what thou dost desire." That exhibits again the nature of the heart of Christ. He was willing all the time. He made her exhibit to others the intensity of her faith. Then the cure came.

There was one happy home in the Tyre-Sidon country that night. A mother had won a victory. What did she care now that she had been called "a dog?" She had also been called "a woman," and to the woman of great faith had come victory.

PRACTICAL.

The most pitiful people in the world are they who want nothing which Jesus Christ can give. Jesus sought refuge from the mean criticisms of his own people by going among the heathen. The first one to speak to him among the heathen called him--"Lord, Son of David." That was what his own people would not do.

A prayer for mercy must always be a prayer that God loves to hear. He calls himself a God "showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me."

A silent Saviour is not always an unwilling Saviour. If the Saviour seems to be passing on without answering, keep on crying. Make him know that you mean to have him hear. Get as near to him as you can. Get into the house where he is, if possible. If not, make his disciples understand that you mean to stay. Do not mind trials. God does try us often. Never mind: plead his promises. Let the names go. Let the disappointments go. Cling close to Christ.

"As thou wilt" was a great big loaf. "I yield," said Christ. "Take what you want." That is Christ's way when he knows you trust him absolutely.