Making a Mother’s Day

Matt 15:21 Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 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." 23 But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, "Send her away, for she cries out after us." 24 But He answered and said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." 25 Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, "Lord, help me!" 26 But He answered and said, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs." 27 And she said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters' table." 28 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.

When you think about a mother’s heart, one thing is clear. Actually, make that everything is clear. In fact, there is probably nothing more transparent than a mother’s heart.

A mother’s heart is on full display every time there is a need in their child’s life. To the extent that need may be met, a mother will stop at nothing.

In this way, mothers are like Christ.

A question might be asked about why Jesus would go to the region of Tyre and Sidon in the first place? (There were only gentiles living there, and Jesus came to serve the lost sheep of the house of Israel.)

But Jesus, like this mother, was seeking what may be found.

Many people seek without really knowing what they are even looking for. They say things like, “the journey is more important than the destination.” But when you have a real need, a statement like that is an absurdity.

When there is a real need, the only reason for seeking is to find the answer that meets the need. Flights of fantasy or philosophical debates are worthless.

This is the story of the intersection of Jesus and a Canaanite mother, both seeking what may be found. Neither would accept anything less.

This woman’s daughter, severely demon-possessed, is all this mother can think about, or cares about. Her need is apparent to all. She is a completely transparent parent, which mothers often are. No shame, no embarrassment over her daughter’s condition will deter her. She is seeking the One who can make her daughter well.

Jesus, on the other hand, is seeking faith where it may be found, and like this mother, He will stop at nothing to find it. What happens next is amazing…

-Pastor Bill