Sermon based on Matthew. 15:21-28

Introduction

After Jesus manifested His divinity by walking on the water of the Sea of Galilee, the Pharisees and teachers of the law inquired as to why our Lord’s disciples ignored the traditions of the elders, by eating with unwashed hands. In this context, Jesus addressed their hypocrisy, their spiritual blindness, their lukewarm hearts, and their vain devotion to the Law.

“Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!” Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?  For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death. But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is ‘devoted to God,’ they are not to ‘honour their father or mother’ with it. Thus, you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. 7 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:

 “‘These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.  They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.”

This becomes important when Jesus later encounters a Canaanite woman with a demon-possessed daughter. While the Jews presume that this woman is unacceptable to the Lord because of her Gentile heritage, Jesus acknowledges her faith and heals her daughter. This event is a fulfillment of Isaiah: that righteousness comes from the Lord and is manifested in love and obedience. The Gospel is first for the Jew, but also the Gentile.

Although the Canaanite woman comes to Jesus in humility, she speaks strongly, saying, “have mercy on me.” She seems certain not only of His divine power but also His merciful willingness to use that power to help her. Interestingly, she calls Jesus “Son of David,” a name we would expect from the Jews, not a Gentile. In essence the reading highlights the power of persistent faith and the inclusivity of God’s mercy, showing that belief transcends cultural and ethnic boundaries.

The Passage

In this passage [Matthew. 15:21-28], we are informed that Jesus travels to the region of Tyre and Sidon, a Gentile territory, where a Canaanite woman approaches Him, pleading for her demon-possessed daughter to be healed (Matthew 15:21-22)

Initially, Jesus does not respond, and His disciples urge Him to send her away. Jesus explains that His mission is primarily to the lost sheep of Israel, reflecting the initial focus of His ministry on the Jewish people (Matthew 15:24)

However, when the woman persists, Jesus uses a metaphor, saying, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs” (Matthew 15:26). This statement, while seemingly harsh, is actually a cultural metaphor: Jews often referred to Gentiles as “dogs,” indicating their outsider status in God’s covenant community (Matthew 15:26)

The woman responds with humility and faith, acknowledging her position yet expressing confidence that even the “crumbs” of Jesus’ power can heal her daughter (Matthew 15:27)

Her reply demonstrates theological insight and unwavering faith, which Jesus commends, saying, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire” (Matthew 15:28)

As such, her daughter is healed instantly, illustrating the effectiveness of persistent faith and the accessibility of God’s mercy to all who believe, regardless of ethnicity or social status.

Key Themes and Lessons

The woman’s repeated appeals show her genuine faith is persistent, humble, and is confident in God’s power. Although Jesus’ ministry was initially focused on Israel, this story foreshadows the extension of God’s salvation to the Gentile nations. This story undermines social expectations by showing a non-Jew receiving divine favour, highlighting that faith, not heritage, grants access to God’s blessings.

Reflection

We have a group of people who have access to the scriptures and are so called leaders in the Jewish nation. That is the scribes and Pharisees who had travelled all the way from the city of Jerusalem to ask Jesus a very trivial question. Who, are shown up by a woman from an outside nation, who by all accounts should never have been heard. Yet she demonstrates, and is acknowledged by Jesus as having the greatest faith ever recorded in the Bible. Here we have a diagnosis provided by Jesus of dead religion contrasted with true faith.