Good morning to you, dear friends!Yesterday we started talking about a woman who left us an example of persistence which we was rewarded for. The story can be found in the Gospel of Mathew (15).
«Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.” But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send here away, for she cries out after us.” But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Then she came and worshipped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour» (Mathew, 15:21-28).
There were several players involved in the story that the passage above also mentions, and we will try to see what important lessons each of them teach.Yesterday we mentioned Jesus Who tells us the importance of being alone with God:«Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon» (Mathew, 15: 21).
«From there He arose and went to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be hidden» (Мark, 7: 24).
In this story we see that Jesus’ choice of territory was strategic, not accidental, because He knew that scribes and Pharisees wouldn’t enter pagan lands. Jesus needed to rest from the multitudes of people that continuously surrounded Him, as well as scribes and Pharisees who challenged Him with tricky questions. Jesus thought He would be able to hide among pagans, but it did not work out. Even in this pagan land people knew about Jesus. One woman recognized Him.„And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him…” (Mathew, 15:22).
«For a woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about Him, and she came and fell at His feet» (Мark, 7:25).
This woman came to Jesus not for her own sake, but for the sake of her daughter who had an unclean spirit. Here we see a mother’s heart full of love. Mother cared for her daughter. We must respect and honour our mothers, because they love us, fight for us and for our lives, nurture us, encourage us, help us and protect us. This woman came to Jesus at a very difficult time in her life. She knew how to ask Jesus; she knew that she cannot stop until she sees changes in the life of her daughter.You know that in the history of revivals the key role was played by praying women, because God had given them the burden of prayer for the lives other people. Women know how to carry things that distress them and bear them before God. That is why prayer is one of the purposes of mothers. Mother’s prayers are so powerful! Mother’s prayer reaches the goal! Mother’s prayer brings freedom to her children! So if you are a mother, God expects unceasing prayers from you, until the necessary answer comes. Do not stop praying for your children. Children need your prayers, and other people need your prayers.God’s call to you today is to be protectors of life! Fight for the lives of your children, your family and friends! Do not let the enemy to carry out his evil plans. Pray for people you care about and you will see God showing His mercy in their lives.Have a wonderful day!We will continue tomorrow.Pastor Rufus Ajiboye
